Qatar's IP Landscape Gets a Major Upgrade in 2024: Building a Hub for Innovation by Rima Hasan

Qatar's IP Landscape Gets a Major Upgrade in 2024: Building a Hub for Innovation by Rima Hasan, International Coordinator at JAH Intellectual Property, Doha, Qatar In The Global IP Matrix Issue 22, Rima Hasan, International Coordinator at JAH Intellectual Property, Doha, Qatar, details the sweeping reforms transforming Qatar’s intellectual property landscape in 2024. With new legal mechanisms, enhanced administrative transparency, and global integration through the Madrid Protocol, Qatar is positioning itself as a forward-thinking hub for innovation and international IP protection.

Establishing Fairness: The Grievance Committee

A cornerstone of Qatar’s 2024 IP reform is the formation of a Grievance Committee under Ministerial Resolution No. 154 of 2018. This committee now plays a vital role in resolving patent-related disputes with transparency and impartiality, giving inventors and applicants a reliable route for appeals and legal redress.

Reinforcing Legal Integrity: New POA Guidelines

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has also introduced stricter requirements for Power of Attorney (POA) documents in trade mark prosecution. All foreign-issued POAs must now be attested by the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accompanied by certified Arabic translations, ensuring legal consistency, document validity, and streamlined processing.

Joining the Global Stage: Qatar and the Madrid Protocol

On May 3, 2024, Qatar became the 115th member of the Madrid Protocol, allowing Qatari businesses to file a single international application to protect their trade marks in up to 130 member countries. This dramatically simplifies the IP process, offering reciprocal access for foreign applicants looking to register marks in Qatar.

Effective August 3, 2024, Qatar will accept applications in English, French, or Spanish, with transactions in Swiss francs. The country has also established predictable individual fees for trade mark designation and renewal, adding financial clarity for global businesses.

Economic Boost: Reduced IP Service Fees

A significant reform came with Ministerial Decision No. 60 (2024), which reduces service fees for IP filings by up to 90%. This change makes IP protection more affordable and accessible, particularly for startups, SMEs, and individual innovators, and incentivises foreign investment in Qatar’s growing innovation economy.

Conclusion As Rima Hasan outlines, these strategic reforms collectively represent a turning point for Qatar’s IP framework. With a blend of global connectivity, administrative clarity, and reduced costs, Qatar is building a business-friendly ecosystem where intellectual property is protected, valued, and actively encouraged.

Read the full article in The Global IP Matrix Issue 22 to explore how Qatar is transforming its IP environment and laying the groundwork for sustained innovation and economic diversification.

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