On 3 May 2024, the Government of Qatar deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol, the governing Treaty of the Madrid System.
The Madrid System provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trade mark owners around the world to file one application to register and manage their trade mark in multiple countries.
Using the Madrid System is often simpler and more convenient than protection secured through multiple separate national registrations, since only one single registration is required for renewal, assignment and licensing.
This international system is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). WIPO now has 131 countries within its international trademark system. Not all countries are signatories to the Madrid Protocol, so the Madrid System cannot be used everywhere in the world.
Qatar is now the 115th member of the Madrid System. Consequently, national trade mark holders in four out of the six countries making up the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) can now use the Madrid System to secure cross-border protection of their brands. This makes using the Madrid System even more enticing for businesses operating in the Middle East.
From 3 August 2024, applicants for international applications for registration and subsequent designations will be able to designate Qatar as a country they wish to seek protection in. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), many Australian companies are registered and active in Qatar. With Qatar a top-three trading partner for Australia in the Middle East and North Africa region, with two-way goods and services trade worth $30.8 billion (2022).
The Intellectual Property practice group at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers specialises in securing both national trade mark registrations and registrations under the Madrid System. Our expertise also includes monitoring and prosecuting infringement of trade marks nationally and internationally.
Please contact us if you would like assistance in protecting your trade mark.
This article was written by Helen Kavadias, Partner and Kirsten Schreuder, Solicitor.
