The new Law regarding Trademarks, Commercial Data, Trade names, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs has been issued; however, it has not yet been published in the Official Gazette.
The major aspects of this new law:
- Well-Known marks are protected even if they are not registered in Qatar.
- Powers of attorney are to be legalized up to the Qatar Consulate (previously, simply signed powers were required).
- Oppositions are to be notified to the applicant within two months instead of four. Replies to oppositions are to be filed within two months also.
- Cancellation actions based on non-use will be approved, in case the registered owner does not use the mark in question within a one month grace period which will be granted by the Industrial Property Office as a last chance to keep the registration.
- A trademark can be assigned with or without the enterprise (under the previous law, the assignment had to be with the enterprise).
- Recordal of assignment in which one of the parties is a non-Qatari entity does not require the consent of the Minister of Economy & Commerce.
- A collective mark can be assigned with the consent of the Industrial Property Office, where previously this required the consent of the Ministry of Economy & Commerce.
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