Q: Does Qatar follow the International Classification of Goods and Services?
A: Yes, Qatar does follow the international Classification of Goods and Services. However, classes 1, 4-7, 10-14, 16-22, and 29-31, each, cannot be granted in their entirety according to the provisions of the Qatari Trademark Law. The alternative is as follows:
1.Excluding any goods not required to be covered in a class.
2.Filing two separate applications to include all goods required.
Q: How long will it take to conduct a trademark search?
A :It takes ten days to conduct a trademark search.
Q: Are service marks registrable? If so, are they granted partially as well?
A: Yes, service marks are registrable, but all classes related to service marks are granted entirely according to the Qatari Law.
Q: Are alcoholic beverages protected in Qatar?
A: No, therefore, products covered by class 33 and alcoholic drinks and beverages in class 32 are not registrable.
Q: Can one application cover multiple classes?
A: No, a separate application should be filed for each class of goods.
Q: How long is the registration process?
A: It takes 5-7 years for an application to mature into registration.
Q: Have the implementing regulations of the Copyright Law been issued yet?
A: No, they have not. However, it is possible to lodge a work with the competent authority, although the relevant fees cannot be settled and no certificate can be issued. The copyright office will thus keep the application in their custody until the implementing regulations are issued. A letter acknowledging the receipt of the work is provided as evidence.
Q: What are the filing requirements?
A: The copyright protection office has not specified the filing requirements. However, Article 36 of the Copyright Law states that the owners and authors of intellectual works should submit the following:
1.The name of the author or authors in the case of joint works
2.The subject of the work
3.Five copies of the work
4.A detailed specification of the work
5.A written declaration of ownership of the work by the author or authors in accordance with this law.
6.A written declaration by the author or authors specifying the manner in which they choose to publish the work.
7.Approval of the work by the competent department of the Ministry in accordance with the provisions of the law on publication.
Q: Can patents be filed in Qatar?
A: While there is no statutory patent law in force in Qatar, it is currently possible to register the patent through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Patent Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.