PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Oman

Oman has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since July 14, 1999, and to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since October 26, 2001. Additionally, Oman is a signatory to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT).

Oman is also a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). Following the decision made at the 41st GCC Supreme Council meeting to amend the existing GCC Patent Law, the GCC Patent Office stopped accepting new GCC patent applications after January 06, 2021. Patents filed before this date and granted remain valid across all member countries. While other GCC member states have resumed using the GCC Patent Office as an IP authority, Oman has not yet done so. As a result, it is currently not possible to file a patent application at the GCC Patent Office with effect in Oman.

The national phase application in Oman must be filed within 30 months from the PCT application's priority date.

The Specification in Oman is filed in English and Arabic in MS Word format including the Abstract, claims, and drawings (if any).

In Oman, although there is no general extension for the late filing of patent applications, a one-month extension may be requested for submitting specific documents. However, the Registrar has full discretion in deciding whether to accept the late submission.

Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney, duly legalized either through the Apostille or by the Consulate of Oman, must be submitted to the Patent Office within 60 days from the application filing date in Oman.

In Oman, for a period of five years from the application submission date, industrial property rights service fees are reduced by 90% for applications filed by researchers at research centers or students from schools, colleges, or universities. The fees are reduced by 50% for applications filed by small enterprises.

After publication, the application undergoes a formal examination to ensure all necessary documents have been submitted. If any requirements are missing, the Examiner will notify the applicant, who will then have 60 days from the date of notification to complete the formalities. Failure to do so will result in the application being considered withdrawn. If everything is in order, the applicant may pay the substantive examination fees either at the time of filing or within 18 months from the filing date.

Patent rights in Oman are subject to annual renewal fees, which must be paid in advance. The annual fees begin one year after the application filing date. To maintain the patent's validity, renewal fees must be paid within the specified timeframe. In the event of late payment, a grace period may be available to make the payment, subject to a surcharge.

In Oman, the standard patent term is 20 years from the filing date of the patent application. However, Omani Patent Law includes a provision for Patent Term Extension, which allows the patent holder to request an extension of the patent term if the marketing approval process for the product's first commercial use in Oman exceeds 24 months from the marketing approval application date. The maximum extension granted under this provision is five years, and it is also applicable to pharmaceutical products.

In the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), Oman has made a remarkable achievement, ranking 74th out of 133 economies, although slightly down from its impressive 69th position in 2023. The country continues to excel in key areas such as "Human Capital and Research" and "Infrastructure," demonstrating its growing prowess in innovation. Oman ranks 13th among the 18 economies in Northern Africa and Western Asia, showcasing its leadership in the region. Notably, Oman has significantly improved its standing in innovation inputs, now ranked 59th, reflecting its upward trajectory. The country also shines in several specific rankings, with an outstanding 43rd place in Institutions, 63rd in Infrastructure, 66th in Human Capital and Research, and 73rd in Market Sophistication. Additionally, Oman ranks 87th in Knowledge and Technology Outputs, 86th in Business Sophistication, and 82nd in Creative Outputs, underscoring its impressive growth and increasing influence in the global innovation landscape.

Oman has marked itself in having a strong geopolitical impact in the region being the member of United Nations, Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council, Organisation of Islamic Co-operation. Not only with this, Oman has a strong economy owing to its tourism, trading and agricultural produce where it has been categorized as a high-income economy. With the huge dependency of oil exports, mineral fuels have accounted for 82.2% of total produce exports. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Oman.