Patent registration in Qatar – Any company that owns a patent and intends to expand its business in the Qatar market as well as create lasting value and find investors for its patent or patent licensing in the future should use the patent system of Qatar. It is paramount for businesses to file a patent application in Qatar for their inventions, even if the launch of the respective product on the Qatar market has not yet commenced.
Qatar is a member of the Patent Office of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It is the regional office of the GCC, which covers the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait. Patent certificates issued by the Office guarantee the legal protection of inventors’ rights in all member states.
The Qatar Patent Office has started accepting PCT patent applications since September 2012.
The official language of patents in Qatar is Arabic. It is possible to submit an application in English and provide an authorized translation into Arabic within 4 months.
The following information and documents must be provided in the patent application to the Qatar Patent Office:
- the name and address of the patent applicant and the patent agent;
- patent claims in English and Arabic translation;
- technical specifications of the invention (invention name, statement, abstract with diagram) in English and Arabic translation;
- drawings (if any);
- copies of priority documents;
- Legalized Power of Attorney for the Consulate of Qatar.
- Patent description;
- application fee.
Certified copy of the application with filing date, application number, and country if the application is filed with priority claim (optional for PCT Applications and only required for patent applications in Qatar).
Examination of patent applications in Qatar
Patent applications in Qatar will be required to undergo formal and substantive examination.
Patent validity and renewal
The filing fee is payable within three (3) months from the date of filing the patent application. Patents in Qatar are valid for twenty years from the date of filing in Qatar or the priority date. The annual renewal fee for the first year must be paid upon patenting. All annual renewal fees for subsequent years must be paid before the annual filing date. Late payment is possible after a 6-month grace period with a corresponding surcharge.
Represented by a patent attorney
International applicants must conduct a patent search in Qatar through a law firm, or an experienced patent attorney.
Please find the list of Qatar IP Firms here.