The treaty will enter into force on 30 April 2022, making Iraq the 155th member of the PCT union.

Therefore, any PCT applications filed on or after the effective date will include the designation of Iraq. Likewise, it will be possible to file international patent applications through the Iraqi Patent Office.

For more information, please contact iraq@qumsieh.com.

The PCT came into force in Kuwait on 9 September 2016, after after it acceded to the treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Kuwait will automatically be designated on all PCT applications as of that date.

The applicable time limit for national phase entry is 30 months from the earliest priority, or 18 months from the international PCT-application filing date.

Since the Patent Office of Kuwait has stopped receiving any patent applications since 4 April 2016, however, it remains unclear the affect on international filings and national phase entries.

We note that Kuwait is the 149th member of the PCT and the sixth and final Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to accede to the PCT.

Further developments will be reported in due course. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at kuwait@qumsieh.com.

Any PCT applications filed on or after the effective date will include the designation of Jordan; likewise, it will be possible to file international patent applications through the Jordanian Patent Office.

Should you require our updated schedule of fees in respect with PCT patents, please contact jordan@qumsieh.com.

The PCT will also provide reduced fees of 90% offered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to Jordan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs will deposit the accession documents with the Secretary General of WIPO, and the treaty to be signed in Geneva by the authorised permanent representative of the Kingdom.

For more information, please contact jordan@qumsieh.com.

For more information, please contact kuwait@qumsieh.com.

The Iranian government approved this treaty on 16 October 2007 by the Parliament, and only deposited deed of accession to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 9 July 2013 which became effective on 9 October 2013.

Accordingly, the Iranian Patent Office will accept any National Phase filings from any PCT applications filed after 9 October 2013, the date that Iran joined the PCT.

Once the Treaty entered into force, Iran became bound by the agreement terms, and its’ nationals or residents were able to file PCT Applications.

National phase applications must be filed within 30 months of the PCT application date.

If you have any questions about our practice in Iran please contact us at info@qumsieh.com.

Accordingly, it will be possible to file PCT National Phase applications in Saudi Arabia as of 3 August 2013. We note that the SAPO will not accept any National Phase filings from any PCT applications filed before 3 May 2013, the date that Saudi Arabia joined the PCT. Any such filings will not be considered valid.

Once the Treaty enters into force, Saudi Arabia will then be bound by the agreement terms, and the nationals or residents of Saudi Arabia will be able to file PCT Applications. National phase applications must be filed within 30 months of the PCT application date.

If you need more information, please contact us at saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.

Accordingly, Qatar will be bound by Chapter II of the PCT.

It is worth mentioning that before the accession of Qatar into the PCT, there was no Patent or Industrial Design law, although publication of cautionary notices was available.

In the beginning of November 2012, the Qatar Patent Office (QPT) began receiving PCT national phase applications in order to safe guard the priority dates and avoid patents from lapsing. Since the amount for official fees are still undecided, applicants’ representatives are required to sign a declaration agreeing to pay the fees without delay once the fee amounts are determined.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at qatar@qumsieh.com.

Accordingly, it is possible to designate Qatar in any international patent application as of 3 August 2011.

However, the Qatari Patent Office will be ready to receive national phase applications in the middle of October 2011.

Qatar PCT filing requirements are:

• Power of Attorney legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
• A certified copy of the commercial register or any equivalent document, in case the application is not in respect of individual applicant.
• Abstracts, specifications, drawings and claims with their Arabic translation (the translation may be filed within three months from the date of application).
• International application number and date.

Applications must be filed within 30 months from original/first priority date.

It is worth mentioning that the official fees and date of annuity will be decided later.

If you have more queries regarding the above do not hesitate to contact us at qatar@qumsieh.com.

Accordingly, it will be possible to designate Qatar in any international applications filed on or after the said date.

Furthermore, Qatar will be bound by Chapter II of the PCT.

It is worth mentioning that before the accession of Qatar into PCT there was no Patent or Industrial Design law, although publication of cautionary notices was available.

Filing PCT application requirements in Qatar are:

1. Power of attorney duly legalized up to a consulate of the Qatar.
2. Certified copy of the extract of the entry of the applicant in the Commercial register.
3. Abstract, specifications, drawings, and claims in English along with Arabic translation (the translation can be submitted within three months from the date filing).
4. Duly legalized deed of assignment signed by the inventor(s), if the applicant is not the inventor.
5. Certified copy of the original application in case priority is claimed.

Should you need more information regarding the above, please feel free to us at qatar@qumsieh.com.