Country Overview
Qatar (population 2.7 million, 2022) is a strategically important GCC market where government-led investment shapes commercial momentum.
While energy remains the backbone, the country is investing to deepen diversification—prioritizing manufacturing, logistics, and tourism—and positioning itself as a regional tech and digital hub through its Digital Agenda 2030.
Qatar has also strengthened its investment framework to attract FDI and innovation, including legislation that permits up to 100% foreign ownership in most economic sectors and a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law designed to support diversification and expand private-sector opportunities, including in education, environmental technologies, and healthcare.
UTMPS presence in Qatar
UTMPS is one of the most established IP practices in Qatar, operating in the country since 1988. We support rights holders across the full IP lifecycle—filing and prosecution, renewals, recordals, and enforcement coordination.
Our Qatar team operates in Arabic and English, working as an integrated extension of our wider GCC and MENAP platform.
Key IP Services in Qatar
- Trademark filings, oppositions, renewals, and enforcement
- Patent protection, including pharmaceuticals and green technologies
- Copyright registrations and advisory for software and digital content
- Industrial design filings and renewals
- Anti-counterfeiting enforcement, including border measures and litigation
- IP due diligence and portfolio management
Qatar IP System Overview
Qatar is a signatory to several international IP treatiessuch asthe Paris Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Berne Convention, the Madrid Protocol and most recently, the Nice Agreement (entry into force on February 10, 2026).
The IP Rights Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar is Qatar’s national IP office responsible for managing all aspects of IP rights protection.
This section provides a high-level overview of jurisdiction-specific IP protection requirements and is not intended to be comprehensive. For advice on your specific matter, please contact our IP experts.
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Classification: Single-class system (Nice Classification).
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Protection Term: 10 years from filing date, renewable for like periods.
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Madrid: Yes (since 2024).
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Priority: 6 months.
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Filing Requirements:
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Legalized Power of Attorney.
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Applicant’s name/address.
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Trademark representation.
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List of goods/services.
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Registration Timeline: 5–10 months if unopposed.
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Opposition Period: 60 days from publication.
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Registration and Renewal Requirements: Renewal requires a legalized Power of Attorney and payment of official fees.
Jurisdiction-Specific Note: Qatar’s MOCI IP Department has previously objected to trademarks containing certain religious symbols. Applicants should avoid using symbols that may be considered culturally or religiously sensitive in this jurisdiction.
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Member of: Paris Convention and PCT.
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Protection Term: 20 years from the filing date.
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Priority: 12 months (Paris) / 30 months (PCT).
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Filing Requirements:
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Legalized Power of Attorney.
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Complete specifications of the invention with an abstract, claims in English with Arabic translation (can be submitted later).
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Drawings of the invention, if applicable.
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Opposition Period: 60 days from the date of publication.
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Maintenance Fees: Due annually on the anniversary of the filing date, payable prior to grant, with a 12-month grace period for late payment (surcharge applies).
- Protection Term: 5 years from filing, renewable twice for similar periods.
- Member of The Hague system: No
- Average time to registration: 8–12 months.
- Maintenance: No annual annuities; renewal on expiry
- Member of Berne Convention: Yes (since 2000).
- Registration: Not mandatory; voluntary registration available
- Filing Requirements:
- Author/work details and subject of the work
- Copies of the work (as required)
- Author declaration on publication method
- Relevant ministry approval under publications requirements (where applicable)
- Power of Attorney (if filed via agent)
*The information in this section is a brief overview of the local IP registration regime and is not intended to be comprehensive. For advice on your specific matter, please contact our IP experts.
Doha
Office No. 9, 2nd Floor, Ahmed Al-Misnad Building
No. 241, Mohammed Bin Thani Street, Bin Omran,
Doha, Qatar
Global Reach
With a presence across 20+ jurisdictions spanning the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, UTMPS delivers comprehensive IP solutions tailored to local requirements.
Outside our footprint, we coordinate matters through a carefully vetted network of trusted IP associates worldwide.
