Qatar

WIPO convention (effective since September 3, 1976)
Nairobi Treaty (effective since July 23,1983)
Paris Convention (effective since July 5, 2000)
WIPO Copyright Treaty (effective since October 28, 2005)
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (effective since October 28, 2005)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (effective since August 3, 2011)
Budapest Treaty (effective since March 6, 2014)
TRIPS Agreement/ WTO (effective since April 16, 2016)
Rome Convention (effective since September 23, 2017)
Marrakesh VIP Treaty (effective since January 24, 2019)
Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (effective since April 28, 2020)
Berne Convention (effective since July 5, 2020)

Law No. 9 of 2002 on Trademarks, Trade Names, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs

Creation of rights:	First-to-file jurisdiction (subject to occasional exceptions)
Basis for filing:	Intent to use acceptable – prior use is not a prerequisite.
Well-known marks:	Special protection may be available. Nevertheless, local registration of the mark is highly recommended.
Types of marks:	Trademarks, Service Marks, Series Marks, Collective Marks.
Priority:	6-month priority claim under the Paris Convention.
Madrid System:	Not available – Qatar is not a member of the Madrid Union.
Filing system:	Single class (multiple class filing is not available)
Classification:	Nice Classification 11th edition.
Who can be Applicant:	Corporate entities
Examination:	On formal, absolute and relative grounds.
Publication:	In the Official Gazette.
Opposition period:	4 months from the date of publication.
Duration of registration:	10 years from the filing date – renewable for further periods of 10 years each upon request of the trademark owner within one year preceding the expiry date.
Renewal grace period:	6 months, subjected to late renewal penalty fee.
Use requirement:	A trademark registration becomes vulnerable to cancellation upon the request of an interested party in case of non-use of the mark for a period of 5 consecutive years.
Registration timeframe:	10 to 12 months (approximately)

Official Search:	Available for i) word marks; and ii) device marks.
Scope of search:	Includes all applied-for and registered marks.
Turnaround time:	5 to 8 working days.

Filing of national application with or without priority claim under the Paris Convention.

Filing Requirements

Power of Attorney from the applicant, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
A simple copy of Certificate of Incorporation.
A certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.

Power of attorney from the trademark owner, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
A simple copy of certificate of registration of the mark.

Power of attorney stating the new name/ address of the trademark owner, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
Change of Name / Address document, duly legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.

Power of attorney from the Assignee, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
Deed of Assignment, signed by both the assignor and the assignee, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
A simple copy of Certificate of Incorporation of the Assignee, if the applicant is a corporate entity.

Power of attorney from the surviving entity, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
Merger document, duly legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.

Powers of attorney from the Licensor and the Licensee, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.
License agreement, signed by both parties, duly notarized and legalized up to the Qatari Consulate.