TRADEMARK IN QATAR

The process of trademark registration in Qatar is governed by the Law no. 9 of 2002 pertaining to Trademarks, Commercial Indications, Trade Names, Geographical Indications, and Industrial Designs and Models. The Law prescribes that the following may be registered as marks especially when having a distinctive form: names, signatures, words, letters, numbers, designs, pictures, symbols, stamps, seals, vignettes, three-dimensional figures and any other sign or combination of colours, a single non-functional colour, a sound, a smell or a combination of signs, if used or intended to be used to distinguish the products of enterprises in the fields of industry, handicraft, agriculture, forestry, mining, goods sold or services offered.

The Law also prescribes those which cannot be registered as Trade Marks-

Signs devoid of any distinctive character, or which are merely descriptive of characteristics of the products or services or which consist of mere marks or indications which are the normal appellations which are in use for such products or services or their normal designs;

Any expression, design or sign contrary to morality or public order;

Public emblems, flags and other symbols and names or denominations relating to a State or to an international organization, as well as any imitation of such emblems, names, etc., unless a written authorization of the competent authority has been previously obtained;

Official signs and hallmarks of a State relating to its control and guarantee of products and services, unless a written authorization of the competent authority has been previously obtained.

Signs identical or similar to the Red Cross or Red Crescent and other similar symbols;

The picture of a third party or his emblem, unless his consent has been previously obtained;

Indications of honorary distinctions to which the applicant cannot prove that he is legally entitled.