In Oman, trademark registration is mandatory in order to obtain rights over a trademark, as it is a “first to file” jurisdiction. Only in some exceptional cases can an unregistered trademark be protected. Trademark applications must be filed with the commercial sector of the Directorate General of Commerce MOCI.
Trademarks can only be registered in the name of a company; it is not possible to register a trademark in the name of an individual.
Oman is also a member state of the Madrid Protocol, so an international registration can be extended to Oman via the Madrid System. We offer trademark filing through the Madrid System.
It is not necessary for a trademark to be in use in Oman in order for it to register, although prior use may help to overcome objections based on lack of distinctiveness by proving that the mark has acquired distinctiveness.
If you register a combined trademark (word + figurative elements) in Oman, the exclusive right is limited to using the mark in the exact configuration in which it was filed and registered. If you wish to use the word element separately from the logo (or vice versa), it is advisable to file an additional trademark covering only the elements you want to use and protect independently.