WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
ORGANISA TION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
ORGANIZACION MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights IP/N/1/QATIIII 
25 June 2002 
(02-3507) 
Original: English! 
anglais/ 
ingles 
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
LAWS AND REGULATIONS NOTIFIED UNDER 
ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
QATAR 
The present document reproduces the text' of the Law on Trademarks, Commercial 
Indications and Industrial Designs, as notified by Qatar under Article 63.2 of the Agreement (see 
document IP/N/1/QAT/2). 
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriete 
intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce 
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET REGLEMENTATIONS CONSACREES A LA 
PROPRIETlt INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIEES AU TITRE 
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
QATAR 
Le present document contient le texte' de la Loi sur les marques de fabrique ou de commerce, 
les indications commerciales et les dessins et modeles industriels, notifiee par le Qatar au titre de 
l'article 63:2 de l'Accord (voir le document IP/N/1/QAT/2). 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio 
PRINCIP ALES LEYES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA 
PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD 
DEL P ARRAFO 2 DEL ARTICULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
QATAR 
En el presente documento se reproduce el texto' de la Ley de Marcas de Pabrica 0 de 
Comercio, Indicaciones Geograficas y Dibujos y Modelos Industriales, notificada por Qatar en virtud 
de 10 dispuesto en el parrafo 2 del articulo 63 del Acuerdo (vease el documento IP/N/1/QAT/2). 
I In English only. The text in the original language will be available for consultation by interested 
Delegations at the WTO Secretariat.lEn anglais seulement. Les deh~gations interessees pourront consulter le 
texte dans sa langue d'origine, au Secretariat de l'OMC'/En ingles solamente. Las delegaciones interesadas 
podrim consultar en la Secretaria de la OMC el texto en su idioma original. IP/N/l/QAT/fl1 
Page 2 
LAW ON TRADEMARKS, 
COMMERCIAL INDICATIONS AND 
INDUSTRlAL DESIGNS. fPlNllIQAT/IIl 
Page 3 
T A 11 T r\l\. T rr'R A DE?\ If A D KS COl\ tfl\ !fDD I'T A T L J-l. V Y V 1 't 1. \...r"l. . 1 Y 1.r-l.1. "--l, 1 V 1.1 V 1.L 1. '-v 1..Ll...L 
INDICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 
n:\orgarabl.shared\corresp\country\qatar\trademark.copyrightlaws.doc 
IO/pc 
February 20, 2001 IPIN/I/QAT/III 
Page 4 
DRAFT LAW C ... ) OF 1999 
ON TRADElv1ARKS; CONO'v1ERCIAL INTIICATIONS, TRADE NAi\1ES, 
GEOGRAPHICAL INTIICATIONS ANTI INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 
We, Hamad Bin Khalifa AI-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, 
Having seen the amended Provisional Constitution, especially Articles 23, 34 and 51 thereof, 
and 
Law No. 11 of 1962, Establishing the Commercial Register, and amending laws, and 
Law No. 14 of 1971 promulgating the Penal Code of Qatar, and amending laws, and 
Law No. 15 of 1971, promulgating the Law of Criminal Procedure, and amending Laws, and, 
Law No. 16 of 1971 promulgating the Law of Civil and Commercial Matters, and 
Law No. 17 of 1987 promulgating the amended Law No. 3 of 1978 on Marks and 
Commercial Indications, and 
Law No. 9 of 1995 amending Decree-Law No. 25 of 1990 concerning organization of the 
investment of Foreign Capital in Economic Activity, and 
Decree-Law No. 22 of 1993 concerning the organization of the Ministry of Finance, Economy 
and Trade and specifying its functions, and 
Decree-Law No. 24 of 1995 concerning the accession of State of Qatar to the Agreement 
establishing the World Trade Organization and the attached Multi-Lateral Trade 
Agreements, and 
The proposal of the Minister of Finance, Economy and Trade, and 
The Draft Law submitted by the Council of Ministers, and 
Having consulted the Advisory Council, 
Promulgate the following Law: CHAPTER I 
General Provisions 
Article 1 fP/N/lIQA T/ul 
Page 5 
Unless otherwise required by the context, the following tenus shall have the meanings 
hereby respectively attributed to them: 
Ministry: Ministry of Finance, Economy and Trade; 
Minister: Minister of Finance, Economy and Trade; 
Department: Department of Commercial Affairs of the Ministry; 
Office: Industrial Property Office; 
Mark: Any sign that distinguishes a tradesman, a manufacturer or a service 
provider; 
Bulletin: Industrial Property Bulletin 
Trademark: Any visible sign capable of distinguishing the products of one enterprise of 
at tradesman, a ma..Tlufacturer or a service offerer; JPlNl1lQATIlIl 
Page 6 
Service mark: Any visible sign capable of distinguishing the services of one enterprise 
from those of other enterprises; 
Collective mark: A mark used or intended to be used by different enterprises for their 
products or services under the control or the inspection of the owner of the mark, who may be 
a private or public juridical person. 
Group of marks: A group of marks the essential elements of which are identical, their 
differences being confined to matters not substantially affecting their identity, such as the 
color of the marks or the products or services to which the marks relate, provided that such 
nroducts or services belong: to the same class: 
~ ~ , 
Trade name: The name identifying and distinguishing the exploitation enterprise owned 
by a natural person or legal entity; 
Geographical indication: Any expression or sign indicating the geographical name of a 
country, region, locality or place which serves to designate a product originating therein the 
quality, characteristics and reputation of which are due exclusively or partly to the 
geographical environment, the natural or human factors of such origin. CHAPTERII 
Rig-ht to Register a Mark 
Article 6 ]P/'-l/I/QAT/l/] 
Page 7 
The following may be registered as marks especially when having a distinctive fonn: 
names, signatures, words, letters, numbers, designs, pictures, symbols, stamps, seals, 
vignettes, three-dimensional figures and any other sign or combination of colors, a single 
nonfunctional color, a sound, a smell or a combination of signs, ifused 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. 
Article 7 
Notwithstanding the provision of Article 26 of this Law, the person who registered the 
mark shall be deemed to be the absolute owner thereof. The ownership of a mark may not be 
contested if the person in whose name the mark is registered has made uninterrupted use of it 
for a period of five years from the date of registration without any legal action for the 
invalidation of the mark being initiated. 
Article 8 
The following may not be registered as marks or as component elements of marks: lP/NI I IQAT/IIl 
Page 8 
(i) 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 t!::eir normal 
designs; 
(ii) Any expression, design or sign contrary to morality or public order; 
(iii) 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; 
(d) 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. 
(v) Signs identical or similar to the Red Cross or Red Crescent and other similar 
symbols; 
(vi) The picture of a third party or his emblem, unless his consent has been previously 
obtained; 
(vii) Indications of honorary distinctions to which the applicant cannot prove that he is 
legally entitled; IPNIlIQATII/l 
Page 9 
(viii) Signs which are confusingly identical or similar to a mark already filed or 
registered by a third party for identical or similar products, services or well-known signs even 
if they are nO'l filed or registered in Qatar 
(sic) irrespective of the identification or similarity of the goods or related services or for 
which registration is sought; 
(ix) Signs likely to deceive the public or which contain false indications as to the 
origin or other characteristics of the goods or services, as well as signs containing a fictitious, 
falsified or counterfeit indication or a trade name; 
(x) Marks identical or similar to religious symbols; 
CHAPTER III 
Re2"istration Procedure 
Article 9 
(1) The application for registration of a mark shall be filed with the Office on the 
form prepared for this purpose, upon payment of the prescribed fees. 
(2) A single application for registration may be filed for a group of marks upon 
payment of the prescribed fee. 
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of international or bilateral agreements to which 
the State of Qatar is party, and where the applicant is not domiciled or does not have a real 
and effective domicile in the State of Qatar, he shall file the application for registration lP/Nil/QAT/If I 
Page 10 
through an agent domiciled in the State of Qatar. The application shall be accompanied by a 
certified power of attorney. 
Article 10 
Notwithstanding the provisions of international or bilateral agreements to which. the 
State of Qatar is party, the applicant for registration may enjoy the right of priority on the 
ground of an earlier application filed in another State, on the following conditions: 
(i) The applicant shall append to his application a declaration indicating the d ate and 
number of the earlier application and the State in which it was filed; 
(ii) The other State must be a State treating to the State of Qatar reciprocally; 
(iii) The applicant shall file, within six months from the filing date of the earlier 
application, a copy of the earlier application certified as correct by the competent authority in 
the other State as required. 
Article 11 
If the Office finds that the application for registration does not comply with the 
provisions of this Law, it may refuse the application or impose whatever restrictions and 
modifications as it may consider necessary for defining and clarifying the mark more 
accurately. IPlNlIIQATlfll 
Page 11 
A reasoned decision to that effect shall be notified to the applicant by registered mail. 
Article 12 
If the applicant fails to fulfil the conditions or effect the modifications imposed by the 
Office, within six months from the date of the notification referred to in the preceding Article, 
he shall be deemed to have abandonned his application. 
Article 13 
The applicant may, within 60 days from the date of the notification referred to in 
Article 11 of this law, appeal against the decision of the Office. The appeal shall be made to a 
committee formed by an order of the Minister, composed of three members and presided by a 
chief of a judicial court. The committee shall examine the appeal and issue a decision 
thereon. 
Article 14 
The applicant may appeal against the decision of the committee referred to in the 
preceding Article to the civil court, within 60 days from the date he is notified ofthe 
committee's decision by registered mail. 
Article 15 IP/N/1/QA TlIIl 
Page 12 
(1) Where a mark is accepted or where the decision or a judgment under the two 
preceding Articles is in favor of the applicant, the Office shall publish the mark in the 
Bulletin. 
(2) Any concerned person may oppose the registration of a mark by addressing to the 
Office, within four months from-the ~aate of publication of the mark, a notice in writing, 
stating his reasons for such opposition. 
(3) The Office shall send a copy of the opposition to the applicant, by registered mail, 
within two months from the date the opposition is submitted. 
The applicant may, within two months from being notified, furnish the Office, 
with a written reply to such opposition, stating his reasons. If no reply is received during that 
period, the applicant shall be deemed to have abandoned his application. 
(4) Before deciding on the opposition, the Office :shall hear both parties or either of 
them or their agents. 
(5) The decision of the Office regarding the opposition shall be subject to appeal to 
the Civil Court within a period of 60 days from the date of the transmittal, by registered mail, 
of the notification of such decision to the person concerned. 
(6) The mark shall be registered and recorded in the Register after the decision or 
final decision that it is accepted is issued. The registration shall have effect as from the filing 
date of the application and shall be published in the Bulletin. Article 16 rPIN/ !IQ A T/IIl 
Page 13 
On registratinn of the mark, a certificate shall be issued to the owner containing the 
(i) The serial number oI-me mark, 
(ii) The filing date of the application, the date ofregistration, the date of priority, if 
any, and the name of the State wherein the application was filed and on the basis of which the 
applicant claims priority, 
(iii) The trade name or the name and surname of the owner of the mark and his 
address, 
(iv) a copy of the mark, 
(v) a list ofthe products or services for which the mark is registered and the number 
of class to which they belong. 
Article 17 
Any person may consult the Trademark Register free of charge and obtain, on payment 
of the prescribed fees, for particulars, extracts or copies. 
CHAPTER IV 
Duration of Protection and Renewal of Registration I PINIl IQATlIIl 
Page 14 
Article 18 
(1) The duration of the protection of a mark sha1l be ten years from the date of the 
filing of the application for registration. The owner of the Mark may ensure the continuation 
of the protection for further consecutive periods of ten years by renewal of the registration in 
confonnity with the terms and conditions provided for in the following Article. 
Article 19 
renewal fee. 
(2) At the time of renewal, no change may be made in the mark or the list of products 
or services in respect of which the mark is registered. 
(3) Ca) The renewal fee sha1l be paid in the course of the last year of the current 
protection period. 
(b) A grace period of six months shall be granted for the payment of the renewal 
fee after the expiration of the current protection period. This case, the o\vner of the mark shall 
be required to pay the prescribed surcharge. 
(4) Renewal of a registration shall be published in the Bulletin. 
(5) A mark which is not renewed may not be registered for the benefit of a third party 
in respect of identical or similar products or services until three years have elapsed after the 
expiration of the protection period. CHAPTER V 
Effects of Registration 
Article 20 IP/N/l/QAT/Ifl 
Page 15 
Registration of a mark shall confer upon its O\NTler the right to prevent third parties from 
using his mark, or a sign resembling it in such a way as to be likely to mislead the public, for 
products or services in respect of which the mark is registered or for similar products or 
servIces. 
CHAPTER VI 
Assignment and Transfer of Ownership 
of Registered Marks 
Article 21 
(1) The ownership of a registered mark cannot be assigned or transferred except with 
the enterprise in respect of which the mark is used to distinguish its products or services. 
(2) If the ownership of an exploitation enterprise is assigned or transferred without a 
given mark, the person assigning or transferring the oVYllership may, in the absence of an 
agreement to the contrary, continue to use that mark for products or services in respect of 
which it was registered. IP/Nil/QATIIIl 
Page 16 
(3) The assignment of a mark shall be in wTiting. It shall be signed by the contracting 
parties, before the competent officer of the Office or the signatures thereof officially 
authenticated by the compete:L"~t authentificating authority. If the transfer of ownership is 
made through a merger of enterprises or by way of succession, it may be proven by a 
document furnishing evidence of the transfer of ownership. 
(4) The assignment and transfer of ownership of a mark shall be recorded in the 
Register upon payment of the prescribed fee. 
(5) Assignments and transfers of ownership of marks shall have no effect against 
third parties until they have been recorded in the Register and published in the Bulletin. 
(6) The assignment or transfer of the ownership of a mark shall be considered null 
and void if it is likely to mislead the public as regards the nature, source, manufacturing 
process, characteristics or utility of the goods or services in relation with the trademark or 
collective mark is used or intended to be used. 
CHAPTER VII 
License Agreement 
Article 22 
(1) The owner of a mark may, by contract, grant to any other natural person or legal 
entity a license to use the mark for all or part of the products or services in respect of which 
the mark is registered. The duration of the license may not be longer than the legal protection 
period of the mark. [PI1\Il/QATII/[ 
Page 17 
The license agreement must be in writing and muS1 be signed by the contracting 
parties as indicated in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article. The owner of the registered 
mark shall be required to exercise continuous quality control on the licensee as regards the 
goods and services in connection with which the mark is used. 
(2) The license agreementsh?-ll be recorded in the Register on payment of the 
prescribed fee and shall have no effect against third parties until such recording is effected. 
(3) The recording of a license shall be removed from the Register, at the request of 
the owner of the mark or the licensee, upon expiration of the ii.cense. 
(4) The Office may proceed, on its own or on the request of a concerned party, to 
cancel the recordation of a license where it is proved that owner of the mark does not provide 
for quality control as regards the goods and services in connection of which the mark is used 
as prescribed in paragraph (3) of this Article. 
(5) In the ;bsence of provision to the contrary in the license agreement, the owner of 
the mark shall have the right to grant licenses for the use of the mark and continue to use it 
himself. 
(6) A license shall not be assignable to third parties and the licensee shall not be 
entitled to grant sub-licenses unless otherwise agreed. IP/NIl/QA TlIII 
Page 18 
CHAPTER VIII 
Renunciation, Removal and Invalidation 
Article 23 
(1) The owner of a mark may renounce the registration of his mark or restrict the 
registration thereofto some of the products or services, by virtue of a \VTitten declaration 
signed by the OVlller as indicated in Article 25 (3) of1:.i~is Law. 
(2) Renunciation shall be recorded in the Register and published in the Bulletin. It 
shall be effective only after it has been recorded in the Register and published. 
(3) If a license is recorded in the Register, registration may not be renounced except 
by consent of the the licensee. The consent shall be submitted on a \VTitten declaration signed 
by the licensee as indicated in Article 21 (3) of this Law. 
(4) In the case of renunciation of the registration of a mark, the mark cannot be 
registered for the benefit of a third party in respect of identical or similar products or services 
until three years, at least, have elapsed after the publication of the renunciation. 
Article 24 
(1) Any concerned person may request the court to remove a mark from the Register 
if, during five consecutive years, the owner or a licensee has failed to use the mark in the 
State of Qatar, unless a legitimate reason is provided therefor. The removal request may IP/NIIIQAT/IIl 
Page 19 
apply to the whole or part of the products or services for which the mark was registered. The 
action for removal shall not be accepted before the owner of the mark justifies the non-use of 
the mark, at least one mOi/(h before the date of initiating the legal action. 
(2) The court shall order the removal after confirmation that the owner has failed to 
use the mark and that no circumstances have made it impossible for him to use it. 
(3) The final decision ordering removal of a mark shall be communicated to the 
Office. 
(4) Removal shall be published in the Bulletin and recorded in the Register. 
Registration of a mark shall deemed to have never existed as from the date it ceased to be 
used. 
Article 25 
(1) The Office shall remove, ex officio, registered marks where the legal period of 
protection has expired without the owner applying for its renewal as required. 
(2) Removal shall be published in the Trademark Bulletin and recorded in the 
Register. Registration of a mark shall be deemed to have never existed as from 
the date of expiration of the duration of the legal protection. IP/NIl/QAT/IIl 
Page 20 
Article 26 
Without prejudice to the provisions of the preceding Article, the Office or any 
concerned person may request the~Givil Court to invalidate the registration of a mark if the 
mark was illegally registered. Nullity apply to the whole or part of the products or services. 
The final decision invalidating the registration shall be communicated to the 
Trademark Office and published in the Bulletin after being recorded in the Register. 
Registration of the mark shall be deemed to have never existed as form the date of such 
recordation. 
CHAPTER IX 
Collective Marks 
Article 27 
(1) Any person undertaking the control or inspection of certain products or services as 
to their origin, component elements, manufacturing process, qualities, identity or any other 
common characteristic may, by decision of the Minister, be authorized to register a collective 
mark. 
(2) The application for registration of a collective mark shall be accompanied by a 
copy of a document containing the rules which the applicant for registration will follow in the 
control or inspection of the products or services, together with an indication of the conditions IP/NIl/QAT/Ifl 
Page 21 
or limitations which the products or services have to comply with, and the manner in which 
the collective mark is to be used in connection therewith. 
(3) The ownership of a collective mark may be transferred only by special 
authorization of the Office. 
(4) A collective mark which is not renewed cannot be registered for the benefit of a 
third party in respect of identical or similar products or services. 
(5) The provisions of this Law shall apply to collective marks having regard to their 
special character. 
Article 28 
(1) The registered owner of the collective mark shall notify the Office of any changes 
made in the rules provided for in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article. 
(2) Any concerned person may request the Civil Court to invalidate the registration of 
a collective mark if it is established that the registered owner is using the mark alone, is using 
it or allowing to be used in contradiction with the rules provided for in the preceding Article 
in such a way as to be likely to mislead the market sector or the public about the distinctive 
common characteristics of the goods or services in respect of which the mark is registered. 
(3) The ownership of a collective mark may not bethe subject of a license agreement 
and it may not be the subject of a change without the prior consent of the Office. I PiNIl IQA TIII I 
Page 22 
CHAPTER X 
Commercial Indications 
Article 29 
(l) A commercial indication is considered to be fuly description related, directly or 
indirectly to the following: 
Ca) The number, quantity, size, capacity, power or weight of the products 
(b) The place or the country in which the products were manufactured or 
produced; 
(c) The manufacturing process or method of production of the products; 
(d) . The elements entering into the composition of the goods; 
c e) The name or occupation ofthe manufacturer or producer of the goods; 
ct) The existence of patents or other intellectual property rights, or of any 
privileges, awards or distinctions. Article 30 IP/NIlIQAT/I/l 
Page 23 
(2) The commercial indication must correspond, in all respect, with reality, whether 
figuring on the products, shops, warehouses, signboards, packings, invoices, writing paper, 
advertising material or other means. 
Article 31 
(3) If the quantity, size, capacity, power, weight or component elements of the 
product are relevant elements in the appreciation of their value, such product may not be 
imported, sold or offered for sale unless they bear one or more of the said indications. Such 
indications shall be written in the Arabic Language. 
Article 32 
The manufacturer may not use the name of the place where he has a principle 
factory with respect to products manufactured for him at another place, unless such a name is 
accompanied by an indication of the latter place in a manner that prevents all confusion. 
The Implementing Regulations shall defme the manner in which such indications are 
to be affixed to the products. IP/N/l/QAT/Ul 
Page 24 
CHAPTER XI 
Trade Names. Geographical Indications and Industria! Des!:ms 
Article 33 
Trade names shall be protected by the provision of this Law even if it is not registered. 
Article 34 
The ownership of a trade name may only be transferred with the enterprise using the 
trade name; nevertheless, the personal name of a tradesman or his successor may not be used 
in trade in a way that might mislead the public. 
Article 35 
The Office shall maintain a register for voluntary registration of trade names; the 
Implementing Regulations shall provide for the necessary procedures therein. 
Article 36 
The owner of a trade name shall have the right to prevent others from the use of his 
trade name or any indication thereof in such a way that might mislead the public or create 
confusion about products or services related to the trade name. Article 37 IP/N/I/QAT/l/l 
Page 25 
The provisions ofthis Law OT1. trademarks shall apply on trade names without prejudice 
to its character. 
Article 38 
Geographical indications shall be protected by this Law even if they are not registered. 
Article 39 
A person residing in a place specially reputed for the production of certain products may 
(sic) or prevent those who trade in similar products produced in other places from affixing on 
their products marks of such nature that is likely to mislead the public as to the origin of the 
products, even if the marks do not bear the names or addresses of those persons, unless the 
appropriate measures to prevent the confusion are taken. 
Article 40 
A concerned physical or moral person may apply for the registration of a geographical 
indication to protect a certain product; acceptance of the registration shall not entail exclusive 
rights for the applicant, such indication may be used by a person who trades in that 
geographical origin. I P/NI I IQA T/I/ I 
Page 26 
Article 41 
The provisions of this Law shall apply on geographical indications without 
contradiction to its special character. 
The Implementing RegufafloIls shall provide for the rules for the voluntary registration 
of geographical registrations and the rules for their use. 
Article 42 
Any physical or moral person may register any invented industrial design. 
Article 43 
The owner of an industrial design may prevent other parties from the use, imitation or 
counterfeit of his industrial design. 
Article 44 
An industrial design shall be protected for a period of five years renewable for further 
two similar periods. 
Article 45 
Without prejudice to its special character, the provisions of this Law on marks shall 
apply on industrial designs. CHAPTER XlI 
Preventive Measures and Sanctions 
Article 46 IPlNil/QATIIIl 
Page 27 
(1) Any concerned person may obtain from the competent civil court, upon a petition, 
an order directing that the appropriate preventive measures be taken, including in particular 
the following: 
(a) The establishment of a detailed descriptive inventory of local or imported 
products, packings, papers, sign-boards or other articles bearing a 
counterfeit, imitated or ViTongfully affixed or used mark or any false or 
unlawful indication, trade name or geographical indication, as well as 
documents or material used in committing the said acts; 
Cb) Seizure or articles mentioned in the preceding paragraph, provided that such 
seizure does not take place until the petitioner submits a deposit to the 
registrar of the court to prove the seriousness of the petition and to 
indemnify the distrainee if required. 
(2) The order of the court may include a nomination of one of more experts to assist 
in the preparation of the inventory and in taking the preventive measures. 
(3) After seizure, the amount of the deposit submitted by the seizor may be conte~ted 
by persons concerned by lodging an action before the competent court. 
(4) The preventive measures taken by the ovmer of the mark shall, in all cases, 
become null and void unless followed, within ten days from the date of the order, 
by a civil or criminal action initiated against the party in respect of whom the 
measures were taken. IP/NIl/QAT/IIl 
Page 28 
(5) The distrainee may initiate an action for damages upon seizure. The seizor and 
registrar of the competent civil court shall be notified of such action within 90 
days from the expiration of the period provided for in the preceding paragraph or 
after the final dismissal of the seizor's action, otherwise the distrainee shall forfeit 
his right to intiate such an action. 
(6) The deposit shall be _~estored to the seizor in the following cases: 
(a) If a final decision has been taken in his favor, 
(b) If the period of 90 days provided in paragraph 5 of this Article elapsed 
without the distrainee initiatinp" ail action for dawages for the seizure. '" ~ -
( c) If a final decision has been taken rej ecting the distrainee's action. 
Article 47 
Without prejudice to any severer punishment under any other Law, the 
following persons shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 
two years and to a fine not more than 20,000 Riyals or to either of those 
penalties: 
(1) Any person counterfeiting or imitating a registered trademark, trade name, 
geographical indication or industrial design in a manner which is likely to 
mislead or confuse the public. 
(2) Any person fraudulently making use of a counterfeit or imitated mark, trade 
name, geographical indication or industrial design. 
(3) .Ally person fraudi..llently affixing to his products, or using in connection to 
his products or services, a mark, a trade name or a geographical indication 
belonging to another person. IP/N/l/QAT/I/l 
Page 29 
convicted party and shall order the closure of the enterprise for a period not less than fifteen 
days and not more than three months, the confiscation of the equipment and material used in 
the counterfeiting or imitation as well as the confiscation of the cOuIltelfeit 01 imitated 
Droducts, even in the event of acauittaL ... ~ ... 
Article 51 
Any concerned person may lodge an action before the competent civil court to prohibit 
the continuation the infringement as stipulated in Articles 47 and 48, prevent the infringement 
as well as lodge an action for damages, 
Article 52 
(1) The competent civil court may order the confiscation of the seized products, the 
closure of the enterprise for a period not less than fifteen days and not exceeding 
six months, The judgement shall be published in one or more newspapers at the 
expense of the convicted party. 
(2) The court shall order the destruction of the counterfeits or imitated marks, 
indications, trade names or industrial designs or the products affixed thereto or the 
products which illegally bear false or illegal indications, even in the event of 
acquittal. 
CHAPTER XIV 
Final Provisions 
Article 53 
The Minister shall issue the Implementing Regulations under this Law within two 
months from its coming into force; the existing Regulations and executive decisions shall 
apply up to the date on which the new Regulations come into force. IPlNIlIQATIU] 
Page 30 
The Implementing Regulations shall contain provisions ensuring terr:.porary protection 
for marks connected with products or services exhibited in exhibitions held in the State of 
Qatar or outside the State of Qatar. 
The Implementing Regulations shall provide also for the fees payable on proceedings 
related to the execution of the provisions of this Law not exceeding 1,000 Riyals for each 
procedure. 
Article 54 
The officers appointed by an order from the Minister shall have the status of judicial 
police for the application of the provisions of this Law and for proving the offenses 
committed in violation thereof. 
Article 55 
Law No. 3 of 1978 is repealed as well as every provision inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Law. 
Article 56 
All competent authorities, each within its competence, are charged with the 
implementation of this Law which shall come into force as from 1 Ja.TJ.uary,2000. 
issued at the Amiri Diwan 
on: / / Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani 
Emir of the State of Qatar ,