DOHA: Qatar became the first GCC country to open a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Registration Office, making process of international patent application filing easier and more efficient.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has opened ePCT in collaboration with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) to protect intellectual rights in Qatar.
In May 2011, WIPO launched ePCT, a new online service, to make international patent application filing easier and more efficient, and offers users and national patent offices many advantages.
The office was inaugurated in a two-day workshop on PCT which concluded yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters. It was organised by the ministry in collaboration with WIPO.
Khalifa Al Hitmi, from Intellectual Property Rights Department at the ministry, said the ministry wants to increase awareness about protection of intellectual rights by opening the office.
The opening of the office is a major step for Qatar as this system is currently used by select countries. WIPO is one of 17 specialised agencies of the United Nations and was created in 1967 to encourage creative activity and promote protection of intellectual property throughout the world.
PCT assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent offices with their patent granting decisions and facilitates public access to technical information relating to those inventions.
By filing one international patent application under PCT, applicants can seek protection for an invention in 148 countries across the world.
Dr Amir Ali, Senior Adviser, Arab Unit, WIPO, said the office will also facilitate online marketing of patent rights.
He praised the ministry for adopting latest techniques in the field of patents rights.
Dr Ali said the office will ease the process of registering patent rights.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Qatar University, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Scientific Club, and Intellectual Agent and Advocate. The Peninsula
