DOHA - The Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued the Ministerial Decision No. 56 of 2023 adopting the GCC Trademark Law (Gulf Cooperation Council) and its implementing regulations. The 50-article Law and its implementing regulations outline the general directives governing trade marks including registration, renewal, assignment and cancellation procedures, official fees, supporting documents, examination timeframes, and opposition period.
Under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) TM law, the following major changes will be implemented in Qatar:
- Increase in the official fees of some services, and decrease in others.
- The deadline for submitting an opposition will be two months instead of four months.
- Sound marks and smell marks will be registrable.
- The deadline to respond to an office action will be shortened to one month instead of two months.
- In case the trademark application is accepted, the applicant or his agent shall pay the publication fees within thirty days from the date of being notified of the acceptance decision.
The unified GCC TM law replaces the local trade mark laws of the GCC member states and creates unified implementing regulations for trade mark prosecution and enforcement in each of the GCC member states. Having a unified law throughout the GCC is a step forward in helping brand owners manage their portfolios in the GCC and obtain the same level of protection in all member states.
17 July 2023: The 50-article Law and its implementing regulations will enter into force on August 10, 2023 in Qatar.