Trademark registration Qatar – The 7th edition of the international classification of goods and services consisting of 42 classes is still in force (exception: class 33 and beers in class 32, because trademarks cannot be registered for alcoholic beverages).Trademark protection is obtained by registration. Registrable as a trademark are all distinctive and graphically representable signs, such as words, names, acronyms, letters, numbers, devices, and any combination of the mentioned signs. The following trademark types are registrable: trademarks, service marks, and collective marks. Trademark registration: Requirements
- A legalized power of attorney
- Goods & classes covered (nr)
- Advice if the mark is used or will be used during the coming 5 years (non-use of the mark may be a cause for canceling by interested parties through court action) (nr)
- Legalized extract from the commercial register.
- Legalized certificate Priority documents if claimed. (nr)
Trademark registration: Procedure
The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness, and a search for prior trademarks. It takes approximately 20-24 months from first filing to registration. After registration, the trademark is published in the Patent Office Gazette. The opposition period is 30 days from the publication date of the application.
(Trademark registration takes approximately 12-14 months from first filing to registration)
- Filing: the mark will be filed in the trademark office where a serial number and dated filing document would be given for the ordered mark.
- Formal Examination: an examination of distinctiveness and a search for prior trademarks (Formal Examination could not be done without completing all required documents).
- Publication: the trademark will be registered and published in the Trademark Gazette. The opposition period is 4 months from the date of the publication.
Trademark registration: Duration
Trademark registration in Qatar is valid for 10 years and starts with the Filing date. The registration is renewable for periods of 10 years.
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If the trademark has not been used seriously within 5 years from the issue of the date of registration or has not been used later for a continuous period of 5 years, it may be subject to cancellation by any interested party through the civil court, unless the owner of the mark submits a justification for none-use. The cancellation action for non-use of a registered trademark cannot be accepted unless the owner of a trademark is given a one-month notice that his trademark is subject to cancellation for non-use.
