Qatar Opens Industrial Design & Model Filings For The First Time

The Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry ('MOCI') has officially announced that the Industrial Property Office located at the Ministry's headquarters has begun accepting applications for industrial designs and models.

This marks a major milestone in Qatar's intellectual property system, as design filings were not previously available in the country despite the enactment of Law No. 10 of 2020 on the Protection of Industrial Designs and Models. Until now, right holders could only rely on indirect or temporary protection measures such as cautionary notices in local newspapers, 3D trade mark filings (often refused) or copyright registration for qualifying designs.