Trademark Registration in Qatar

Why and How to Register a Trademark in Qatar

In Qatar, trademark registration is mandatory to be granted rights over a trademark, as it is a "first to file" jurisdiction. Only in some exceptional cases can an unregistered trademark be protected. The trademark applications must be filed with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the State of Qatar (MEC).

Trademark applications in Qatar may not cover alcoholic beverages or pork products.

If you register a combined trademark (which includes both word elements and figurative elements) in Qatar, the exclusive right to use the trademark is limited to a use of the trademark in the exact configuration or way in which it was filed and registered. If you wish to use the word element of your trademark separately from the logo (or vice versa), it is recommended you register for another trademark including only the word or figurative elements you wish to use and protect separately.

Nevertheless, if a third party eventually intends to register or use a trademark for similar goods or services that includes a primary or distinct part or portion of your trademark, you will have the right to oppose the application based on confusing similarity.

Opposition actions may be filed by third parties against a trademark application within four (4) months after its publication in the trademark gazette. The probabilities of success for an opposition will vary in each case depending on the circumstances.

Although a trademark does not have to be in use in order for it to register, it must not go unused for periods of five years or it will become vulnerable to cancellation actions based on lack of use of the trademark. To prevent this vulnerability, the use must be on a commercial scale.

Registered trademarks in Qatar have a validity of ten (10) years from the application date and can be renewed indefinitely for further periods of ten (10) years. The renewal can be requested within twelve (12) months before the expiration date and until the last day of the month during which it expires. After this, there is a grace period of six (6) months during which the trademark can still be renewed, upon payment of a late renewal fee.

For trademark search reports the trademark must be in Latin alphabet and will only consider other trademarks in Latin alphabet. If you wish for a search for a trademark written in the local writing system (Arabic) and that includes results of trademarks in the local alphabet (Arabic), please contact us. Additional fees will apply.

If you would like for the figurative or design elements of your trademark to be considered when assessing your trademark for registration in Qatar (Trademark Search Report), contact us directly in order to determine if we may be able to offer this in this jurisdiction. In such cases, prices for service and estimated delivery times may vary.