Registering a Trademark in Qatar
Mr.Asil has finally figured out all that is necessary for him to start his new business in Qatar with the help of BBMS. They helped him to come up with his business structure, business name, registered his business, got it licensed and ID for the taxes and even opened up a bank account for his business. Find out how by checking out this link: Click here.
The final and most important of it all was for him to register a trademark that belongs to his business. Now, how does he do it?
First off, a trademark is a recognizable sign, design, or distinct signature that belongs to a specific business or company in Qatar. A trademark is useful in distinguishing a service or a product from other competitors while also offering several added advantages in the market. A trademarked business or a product is perceived as more reliable and easy to be advertised, marketed, and promoted. Trademarks comprise of words, names, symbols, and logos; any form of distinction that helps in identifying your company can be considered as a trademark.
Why should you register your Trademark in Qatar?
By registering your Trademark in Qatar with the Industrial Property Protection Office offers protection from the Ministry of Economy and Trade & the Trade Affairs Department in the Ministry protects and secures your trademark from misemployment or misuse, infringement through imitation, duplication of products either by copying or altering parts of the product, false advertising, and prevention of intimidation or harassment of trademark owner from other influential companies. It secures every aspect of your business.
Who can file for Trademark Registrations in Qatar?
1. Natives and foreigners who are engaged in any commercial, professional, industrial, or service business. According to Qatari laws, without prejudice to the international or bilateral agreement and treaties applicable in Qatar, foreigners shall have the same rights that the Trademark Law guarantees for the citizens of Qatar as long as they are citizens or residents of countries treating the citizens and residents of Qatar on the same basis.
2. Public legal persons.
3. Owners of well-known trademarks.
What are the marks that can be registered as a Trademark in Qatar?
Any distinct and graphically representable signs such as words, acronyms, letters, numbers, devices, or a combination of these are considered to be eligible for trademark registration in Qatar. Three-dimensional trademarks and holograms are also eligible for Trademark Registration in Qatar.
However, there are certain off-limits in the eligibility for registering a Trademark:
1. Symbols which are identical or similar to the Red Cross or the Red Crescent.
2. Unless prior consent is obtained, public emblems, flags, denominations relating to any state or international organization, and official signs and hallmarks of any country or relating to its control or guarantee of goods and services.
3. Marks those are identical to religious symbols.
4. Picture, name, or emblem of an individual is ineligible unless prior written consent is obtained.
5. Signs lacking of distinctive character or confusingly identical to a mark previously registered or likely to deceive the public with false indications are ineligible for Trademark Registration.
How to register your trademark?
An application for registration of a trademark has to be filed before the trademark office in Qatar. If a foreign applicant is applying for registration, a local agent must apply on behalf of the Applicant, and a power of attorney legalized by a Qatari consulate in the Applicant’s country is necessary. On submitting the application, a prescribed fee of 1,000 Qatari Riyals must be paid.
The Applicant is required to submit the following information:
• The name, address, nationality, and legal status of the Applicant and the nature of the business.
• The list of the goods to be covered by the application with mention of the class under which he wishes to register the trademark.
• Details of the Trademark such as color, design, etc.
• Details of the use of the mark in Qatar.
The Applicant is required to submit the following documents:
• Properly filled-in trademark application form
• Five copies of logo or specimen (6x6 cm)
• Letter of request
• Duly legalized power of attorney
• Copy of the certificate of incorporation
• If priority is claimed, a certified copy of the priority document.
Particulars in the certificate from the Trademark Registry:
The Applicant receives this certificate after the registration is complete, which contains the following details:
• The serial number of the trademark.
• The filing date of the application, the date of registration, the date of priority (if applicable), the name of the State where the application was filed and the basis on which the Applicant claims the priority rights.
• Trade name or the particulars of the Applicant.
• The specimen of the trademark.
• A list of the goods and services for which the trademark is registered.
Protection period of Trademark and Cancellation of a Registered Trademark:
A trademark is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of application, and it can be renewed on ten-year perpetuity. In case of a late renewal, a 6 month grace period is allowed, but it is subject to payment of additional fees.
If your trademark is unused for five years from the date of the issue of registration or has not been used continuously for five years, it may be subject to cancellation by any interested party through the civil court unless the owner of the trademark submits a justification.
A person violating the trademark laws shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not more than a year, a fine not exceeding 10,000 Riyals, or in some cases, either of the penalties is enforced.
If you want to register your trademark in the State of Qatar, contact BBMS to guide you through the process of registering your trademark with all the required information and documents, which makes the entire process a whole lot easier for you. We make sure your trademarks are enforced according to the laws and abide by the laws of the State of Qatar. Call us at +974 40120333 or email us at info@bbms.qa for a no-obligation consultation.
