Qatar Trademarks

Filing Requirements:

1. Power of attorney, legalized. A general power may be used for subsequent filings.

2. Copy of the certificate of incorporation.

3. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.

4. 10 prints of the mark for each application.

* Documents 1 and 2 must be submitted at the time of filing.

* Document 3 may be submitted within 6 months from filing date.

Classification:

The International Classification of Goods and Services (7th Edition) is followed. However, class 33, alcoholic goods in class 32, and pork meat in class 29 can not be registered in Qatar. A separate application is required for each class.

Opposition:

Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Gazette of Trademarks. Oppositions may be filed within 4 months from publication date.

Extension Of Time:

Extension of time for oppositions/counter-oppositions or for responding to office actions is not possible.

Protection Term:

Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of 6 months for late renewals with payment of a surcharge.

Documents Required For Renewal:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.

Use Requirements:

Use of a trademark is not required for registration or renewal of a mark. However, a trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of the mark for a period of 5 consecutive years preceding the date of filing for cancellation.

Search:

An official search may be conducted for word marks and devices. It takes approximately 5 working days for the results to be available. A separate application is required for search in each class. The search report discloses similar and identical trademark registrations.

Assignment:

* Trademark applications and registrations may be assigned with or without the goodwill of the business concerned.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney from the assignee, legalized.
  • Deed of Assignment, legalized.
  • Copy of certificate of incorporation of assignee.

Change Of Name/Address:

* A change of name/address may be recorded for trademark applications and registrations.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Extract from the commercial register or any other document evidencing this change, legalized.

Licensing:

* License recordal is compulsory in order to be effective against third parties.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • License agreement, legalized.
  • Copy of certificate of incorporation of licensee.

Merger:

* A merger may be recorded for trademark applications and registrations.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of merger, legalized.

Marking:

Marking is not compulsory.

Cancellation:

A trademark may be subject to cancellation by any interested party if it can be established that the mark was not rightfully registered.

Registration Time Frame:

The time frame for completing the registration process is 12 to 15 months.

Three Dimensional Trademark Applications:

Acceptable.