BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Although Qatar’s intellectual property (IP) laws and regulations are on a par with other countries of the region, it needs to enact stricter laws to attract foreign investments and technology, according to a senior official of a local consultancy specialising in IP-related matters.
New laws will also meet challenges faced by the owners of industrial properties, said Hussain Al Obaidly, Managing Director, Alpha & Co IP.
“Qatar being the host 2022 FIFA World Cup, there is a huge inflow of investments and those intending to establish business in the country would want that their IP rights are protected to the fullest,” Al Obaidly said.
In an interview with this newspaper, he said: “This is the right time for Qatar to implement new IP laws to boost the morale and confidence of business houses and multinational entities entering Qatar.” Qatar has a history of forming and implementing IP laws that have helped the owners of industrial properties protect and enforce their IP rights here.
Qatar is affiliated to World Intellectual Property Organisation and is signatory to major IP conventions and treaties, thus enabling owners of trademarks and patents to exercise and enforce their IP rights to the maximum.
Qatar has a separate law for the protection of copyrights, a law for trademarks, trade names, geographical indications and industrial designs and models, a law for the protection of trade secrets, a law for the protection of layout designs for integrated circuits and a law for the protection of patents.
Asked how he sees the current and future trends of IP laws violations, especially with regard to counterfeit goods in the local market, Al Obaidly said: “Qatar has a law in place with respect to the border measures for the protection of IP rights, and it obliges the customs (department) to take measures to prevent the entry of counterfeit products, when there is prima facie evidence that the products are an infringement.”
Al Obaidly said the law provides for a mechanism for IP right holders to stop the release of imported products that constitute an infringement of their rights.
“However, we cannot deny the presence of counterfeit goods in large scale in Qatar market. Most major cosmetics, electronics and clothing brands are counterfeited and time and again authorities have taken measures against counterfeiting,” he added.
“The General Directorate of Customs, the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in cooperation with IP offices conduct survey, raid shops and people selling counterfeit products and seize and destroy them.
“Our firm Alpha is one of the first in the region to establish an anti-counterfeiting unit that has helped us assist international brands in enforcing their IP rights effectively.”
He said the existing law stipulates hefty fine on those dealing in counterfeit products, and imprisonment for habitual offenders.
According to Al Obaidly, Qatar is party to almost all leading IP conventions and treaties such as Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, WIPO Copyright Treaty, GCC Patent Law, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol and others.
He said the level of awareness about IP rights and enforcements is low among the general public. “People should learn about their IP rights and register innovations and products before getting into business to be always on the right side of the law in conducting business,” he said. The Peninsula
