The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar has announced the commencement of operations for the Grievance Committee for Patent Appeals, starting from February 4, 2024. This committee is now accepting appeal applications for unfavourable decisions (refusals) of patent applications.
According to Article 7 of Law No. 30/2006, applicants have a window of 15 days from the date of receiving the Patent Office decision to lodge an appeal with the Committee. Furthermore, decisions made by the Appeals Committee are final and cannot be challenged before any other entity or court, as stated in Article 153 of 2018.
Jehad Ali Hasan, CEO at JAH & Co Intellectual Property in Doha, highlighted the expanded role of the Grievance Committee, which now includes the examination of appeals against examination reports, moving beyond merely reviewing rejections of patent applications. Hasan expressed appreciation for Qatar’s dedication to ensuring a comprehensive and fair resolution of patent disputes, demonstrating a broader commitment to the country’s patent landscape.
Hasan emphasized that the establishment of the Grievance Committee has the potential to significantly impact Qatar’s patent landscape, fostering a more transparent and reliable intellectual property system. By providing a structured platform for resolving patent disputes, this initiative aims to promote innovation, safeguard inventors’ rights, and bolster Qatar’s support for intellectual property.
He further explained that the Grievance Committee for Patent Appeals is responsible for reviewing appeals related to patent application decisions and addressing objections to decisions issued by the Patent Office concerning applications, oppositions, and cancellations. Any decisions made by the Committee can be subject to appeal before the Federal Court of Appeal.
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