IP in Qatar
Information to help you protect, manage and enforce your intellectual property (IP) rights in Qatar.
This page provides practical information to help you make the most of your IP when doing business in Qatar.
If you plan to do business in Qatar, or if you are already trading there, it is essential to know how to manage and enforce your IP as private property rights.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is the body responsible for operating the patent, industrial design, trade mark and copyright system in Qatar.
British businesses seeking IP advice should contact our Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attache, based in the British Embassy, Riyadh,
Trade marks
The Qatar trade mark system is like the UK’s. Trade marks protect symbols, colours or other devices used to identify a business’ products or services. A trade mark is valid for 10 years, then may be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. Collective marks can be protected.
If you are a resident or business based in Qatar and would like to protect your trade mark, you can apply directly with MOCI, however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Qatar is not a member of Madrid system for international trade mark protection.
Good to know
Qatar recognises well-known trade marks.
Multiclass applications are not permitted, so a separate application must be made for each class of goods and services.
Patents
Like in the UK, patents for inventions can be protected for up to 20 years in Qatar. All patent rights in Qatar are subject to the payment of annual renewal fees, commencing 1 year after they’ve been filed.
If you are a resident or business based in Qatar and would like to protect your innovation with a patent, you can apply directly with MOCI, however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Qatar is a Contracting State of the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Good to know
Like the UK, Qatar operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If more than one person applies for a patent on an identical invention, the first to file the application will be awarded the patent. As in the UK, there is no provision for utility model patents in Qatar.
Qatar does not provide for a grace period.
Designs
In Qatar, design protection initially lasts for 5 years and is renewable for two further periods of 5 years.
Qatar is not party to the international Hague system for search and registration of industrial designs, so it is not possible to file a design through this route.
Copyright
The Qatar copyright framework provides all the basic protections required by international law. Copyright owners do get automatic protection through Qatar law.
Copyright in Qatar protects works that are original and expressed in a tangible form, for example, recorded on tape or written down.
The length of protection lasts for 50 years counted from 1 January of the year following the author’s death.
Good to know
Copyright is registerable in Qatar, however you must be a resident.
Enforcing your rights
IP rights are infringed when others make use of your IP rights in an unauthorised way. In case of infringement, you can enforce your IP rights through an action in the civil court or through criminal prosecution. Injunctions are civil remedies for infringement of IP. Injunctions are court orders to make an infringer stop the infringing act.
Issues with IP infringement can be dealt with directly with the alleged infringer, for example using mediation, “cease and desist letters” or through a licencing arrangement.
IP rights can be recorded with the Qatar General Authority of Customs.
More information
Visit the Department for International Trade page for more information about exporting to Qatar.
The Qatar British Business Forum provide a variety of business advice, services, and support to businesses in Qatar.
The British Embassy supports UK businesses in Qatar.