Everything You Need To Know To Register Patents in Qatar

The process of patent registration in Qatar is governed by the Qatar Patent Law (No. 30 of 2006). Companies that wish to patent their inventions must meet the requirements as per Qatar Patent law. Patent registration agents in Qatar can simplify the process for applicants. A patent granted for an invention is valid for 20 years from the date of applying for patent registration in Qatar.

There are two methods for registering a patent in Qatar: the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system as well as the registration under the Paris Convention for the protection of patents. The two methods demand different procedures and requirements. Getting familiarised with such varied rules and procedures are tough for the inventors, however, patent registration consultants in Qatar can make things easier for you. Read ahead to understand the conditions and requirements to register patents in Qatar.

Patentability of Inventions in Qatar  

All types of intentions are granted patent registration in Qatar, be it a product or process in any field of technology. However, the invention must meet certain exclusive criteria to be granted registration. The inventions must be novel, must involve an inventive step apart from being industrially applicable. The Qatar Patent Office won’t grant patents for inventions that lack these characteristics. Consult with patent registration agents in Qatar to determine whether your invention will qualify for registration.

Inventions Not Eligible for Patent Protection 

There are specific inventions that will be outright rejected by the Qatar Patent Office as per the Patent Law. They are:

a) Scientific theories, mathematical methods, computer programs, exercise of pure intellectual property activities, or practice of a specific game;

b) Plants and animals, and essentially biological processes for the production of plants or animals other than microbiological processes;

c) Processes used to treat humans or animals such as Diagnostics, therapeutic and surgical processes

Patent Examination & Rejection in Qatar 

The Qatar Patent will subject every patent application to substantive examination to check if they meet the necessary registration criteria. If it meets the patentability criteria, the Office will grant registration. In case of patent application rejections, the applicants are allowed to move a petition to the competent committee within 90 days as of the date of notification.

Any interested party may file an objection thereon to the competent committee within 60 days from the date of publication. The letters patent or the utility certificate shall be issued to the applicant if no objection has been filed during the specified period. Consult with patent registration agents in Qatar to simplify the process.

Requirements for Patent Registration in Qatar 

A patent can be registered in Qatar in two ways: the PCT & National. The requirements for the two methods are stated below.

Patent Requirements for PCT 

1. A power of attorney duly legalized up to the Qatari Consulate or any Arab consulate in absence of a Qatari consulate.
2. A copy of the PCT international publication search and examination reports must be submitted with the application.

In case an assignment recordal has been recorded with the WIPO system after the publication of the international Patent application, a legalized deed of assignment and a copy of the certificate of incorporation of the applicant company, or an extract of the entry of the applicant in the commercial register will be required to fulfil the filing formality of the national application in Qatar.

These documents along with the POA can be submitted within six months (non-extendible) days from the filing date of the Patent Application.  In case a change of name or address recordal has been recorded with the WIPO system after the publication of the international Patent application, a copy of form 306 as filed at the International Bureau should submit otherwise the national phase entry application must be filed in the old name /address as initially published in WIPO.

National Patent Applications 

1. A power of attorney duly legalized up to the Qatari Consulate or any Arab consulate in absence of a Qatari consulate
2. A copy of the certificate of incorporation of the applicant company, or an extract of the entry of the applicant in the commercial register will be sufficient
3. Three copies of the complete English specifications and claims together with its Arabic translation
4. Three copies of the abstract of the invention (patent) in English and Arabic
5. One set of the drawings relating to the invention, if any
6. An abstract of the invention of no more than 200 words, together with the best explanatory diagram
7. A deed of assignment signed by the inventor, if the applicant is not the inventor, duly legalized up to a Qatari consulate abroad or any Arab consulate in absence of a Qatari consulate
8. A certified copy of the application giving the filing date, number and country if the application is to be filed with a priority claim (which is not required for PCT Application and only needed for national patent applications), which should be submitted within three months from filing date.  Full details of the corresponding application of the patent filed in other countries

How can Jitendra Intellectual Property Help You? 

The entire process of patent registration in Qatar can appear to be complex for inventors and innovators. However, patent registration agents in Qatar such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP) can help them by providing patent advice tailored to their needs. JIP has a team of qualified patent agents in Qatar who are well-versed in the IP regime of the country.  JIP can help innovators by simplifying the process of patent protection not only in Qatar but across the GCC region including the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.