How to Navigate Intellectual Property Protection in Qatar

For global and regional investors, understanding how to protect intellectual property in Qatar is crucial. This guide explains the legal framework, registration procedures, and new international developments in copyrights, trademarks, and patents. 

Qatar has established a robust domestic legal regime to govern intellectual property (IP), aligned with international standards. The primary statutes include Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyright and Neighboring Rights, Law No. 9 of 2002 regulating Trademarks, Trade Names, Geographical Indications, and Industrial Designs, Law No. 30 of 2006 for Patents, and Law No. 10 of 2020 concerning Industrial Designs and Models. These laws not only ensure domestic protection but also harmonize with global conventions such as the Berne Convention, the Paris Convention, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

The laws provide protection for creative works, inventions, designs, and branding elements. Collectively, they reflect Qatar’s commitment to IP enforcement in line with its National Vision 2030 and the broader GCC-wide strategy to develop knowledge-based economies.

Copyright protection is automatic and robust

Under Law No. 7 of 2002, copyright protection is granted automatically without the need for formal registration. The law covers a wide range of original works, including books, lectures, computer programs, architecture, and audiovisual content. Protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years after death. For joint works, the duration is calculated from the last surviving author’s death. In the case of collective or anonymous works, protection is granted for 50 years from the date of first publication.

But the law makes it clear that certain elements are excluded from protection, such as administrative decisions, judicial rulings, ideas, principles, and mere news reports. This distinction is important for investors in journalism, consulting, and software development, where unprotected elements may still be commercially sensitive.

Trademarks and trade names for registering brand identity

Qatar’s Law No. 9 of 2002 provides regulation over trademarks, including logos, names, symbols, packaging, and even distinctive sounds and shapes. To register a trademark, businesses must apply through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), specifying the goods or services associated with the mark. Trademarks are granted for 10 years, renewable for similar periods indefinitely.

The law provides legal remedies for infringement. Trademark owners have the right to prohibit the unauthorized use of their marks and may pursue civil and criminal remedies. Article 21 of the law requires that trademarks be transferred only with the associated business or enterprise, ensuring that brand equity remains aligned with operational ownership.

Importantly, trade names, while separate from trademarks, also enjoy protection under Qatari law. Businesses must register trade names with the Commercial Registry, and any similarity that could mislead the public is grounds for rejection.

Patents and industrial designs for protecting innovation

Qatar’s patent regime under Law No. 30 of 2006 grants inventors exclusive rights to new, industrially applicable innovations. Protection is available for up to 20 years, provided the invention is novel and does not fall under the excluded categories, which include natural phenomena, mathematical theories, and medical treatment methods. A first-to-file system is used, making it critical for innovators to file promptly.

Industrial designs are governed by Law No. 10 of 2020, which offers 10 years of protection. Design rights apply to the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of an article rather than its functional elements. This is especially useful for companies in the furniture, fashion, and product packaging sectors.

The application process for both patents and designs is administered through the MoCI. Once granted, the rights holder can stop others from using, selling, or importing the protected invention or design without permission.

Madrid system for overseas trademark protection

On May 3, 2024, Qatar officially became a member of the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This move simplifies global trademark protection for businesses in Qatar and foreign investors by offering a unified procedure for securing trademark rights in over 130 member countries. For investors, particularly those with cross-border operations, this system offers a cost-effective and legally consistent route to protect brand identity.

To use the Madrid System in Qatar, businesses must follow these steps:

Step 1: Secure a basic registration or application in Qatar

Before filing an international application under the Madrid System, the applicant must have a basic mark, either a registered trademark or a pending application, with the Qatari MoCI. This base registration acts as the foundation for the international application.

Step 2: File an international application through MoCI

Once the basic mark is secured, the applicant submits an international application to the MoCI, which then certifies and forwards the request to WIPO’s International Bureau. All documentation must align with the original mark registered in Qatar.

Step 3: Designate member countries for protection

The applicant must specify the countries where trademark protection is sought. These can be any Madrid Union member states. This eliminates the need to file separate national applications in each country, significantly reducing administrative burdens and costs.

Step 4: WIPO examination and publication

WIPO examines the international application to ensure it complies with formal requirements. If approved, the trademark is recorded in the International Register and published in the WIPO Gazette of International Marks. At this stage, the trademark is protected as if it were filed directly in each designated country.

Step 5: National examination by designated countries

Each designated member country conducts its own substantive examination according to its national trademark laws. Countries have up to 18 months (and in some cases, more) to accept or reject the application. If no refusal is issued within this period, the mark is considered protected in that jurisdiction.

Step 6: Managing the international registration

Once granted, the international trademark registration is valid for 10 years, with the option to renew directly through WIPO. Investors can also modify, expand, or transfer their trademark rights centrally through WIPO, streamlining global IP portfolio management.

Enforcement and compliance of IP rights

While the legislative framework is sound, businesses are advised to actively manage and enforce their IP rights. Enforcement in Qatar can be pursued through civil litigation or administrative procedures. Infringement of IP rights is punishable under local laws, and courts have the authority to award damages, order injunctions, and seize infringing goods.

For compliance, businesses should include IP clauses in employment and outsourcing contracts, especially around ownership of inventions and confidentiality obligations. Foreign investors are also encouraged to conduct regular audits of their IP assets.

In brief

With a legal foundation supported by domestic statutes and international conventions, businesses operating in or entering Qatar have means to protect their inventions, branding, and creative content.

The country’s accession to the Madrid System has strengthened its offering to international companies, especially those looking for Gulf and broader MENA market access. By understanding the nuances of local laws and utilizing new international tools, companies can mitigate risks and enhance the value of their intangible assets in Qatar’s dynamic business environment.

Read more: Intellectual Property Protection in the UAE 

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