PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Qatar

Qatar has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since July 5, 2000, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to upholding international standards for intellectual property. Additionally, the country became a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on August 3, 2011, significantly enhancing its global patent filing opportunities. Qatar is also a key member of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures, further solidifying its role in the global patent system.

As a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Qatar plays a pivotal role in regional intellectual property matters, with information on GCC patents having legal effect in Qatar available via official links (granted) or the new WIPO-powered platform. Qatar has become a member of PCT on August 11, 2011. The Qatar Patent Office has started accepting PCT national phase applications as of September 2012.

The deadline for entering the PCT national phase in Qatar is 30 months from the priority date.

The official language for patent application in Qatar is English and Arabic. The Arabic and English translations can be submitted within three months from the filing date. However, the Arabic and English translation of the title, claims and abstract are required at the time of filing the application.

The 30-month deadline for filing the national phase application in Qatar cannot be extended.

Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney must be submitted, legalized up to the Qatari Consulate. The deadline for submitting the legalized Power of Attorney is 3 months from the filing date.

Students are exempt from the filing fee, allowing them to submit a patent application at no cost. This exemption, along with other fee reductions, offers financial relief based on the applicant's status, such as being a student.

In Qatar, there is no separate examination request process, as the Patent Office examines application based on the order of filing numbers and dates. However, according to the Patent Office policy, the examination fee should be paid at the time of filing.

According to the Qatar Patent Law, renewal fees are due on the anniversary of the International filing date for the national phase of PCT applications. Late payments are allowed within a 6-month grace period, provided the corresponding surcharge is paid.

The validity period of patents in Qatar offers an exceptional 20 years of protection, starting from the international filing date, providing inventors with an extended period of exclusive rights to their innovations.

In the GII 2024, Qatar has secured an impressive 49th position out of 133 economies, highlighting its growing influence in global innovation. Within the high-income group, Qatar stands proudly at 42nd among 51 economies, demonstrating its strong economic and innovative capabilities. In the Northern Africa and Western Asia region, Qatar ranks 6th out of 18 economies, showcasing its leadership in the region. Furthermore, Qatar has maintained its position at 39th in innovation inputs, holding steady at the same rank as last year, underscoring its consistent performance and commitment to advancing innovation. 

Qatar is a small, peninsular country in the Middle East, but it has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, largely due to its vast natural gas and oil reserves. Qatar's wealth comes primarily from natural gas and oil. It is one of the world’s leading producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Qatar has been focusing on sustainability and green energy, with large investments in renewable energy projects, including solar power, and environmentally friendly initiatives. Qatar is an interesting mix of modernity and tradition, with a focus on both cultural preservation and global influence.