Qatar: Qatar Trademark Office Initiates Digital Transformation

The Qatar Trademark Office has officially launched a trial phase for significant digital enhancements to its services. This initiative includes the electronic publication of the Trademarks Official Gazette and the issuance of electronic Certificates of Registration.

During this transitional period, the Qatari trademarks office will operate under a dual system. Selected trademark certificates will now be issued exclusively in digital format, meaning no physical copies will be provided for those cases. Concurrently, some certificates will continue to be issued in the traditional physical form as the electronic system is progressively implemented. This transitional model is designed to ensure a smooth transition for all trademark holders while the new digital processes are tested and refined

This move is consistent with Qatar’s broader commitment to digital transformation across all government services.

Ethiopia: Accession to Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property

Ethiopia formally deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property with the Director General of WIPO on May 15, 2025, with the Convention entering into force for Ethiopia on August 15, 2025; this significant step underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening its legal and institutional framework for intellectual property protection and innovation, thereby enhancing the ease and security of protecting patents, trademarks, and industrial designs for both local and international businesses alike.

UAE: UAE and US Forge Agreement to Expedite Patent Granting Process

During the 66th Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, the United Arab Emirates and the United States signed a Joint Statement of Intent to enhance bilateral cooperation on patent examination. This pivotal agreement establishes a framework between the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), significantly streamlining the patent granting process in the Emirates, which means that positive patent examination results issued by the USPTO patent applications will now be recognized for corresponding Emirati applications, in line with UAE laws. This recognition is designed to significantly expedite the process of securing patent protection in the UAE, offering inventors and entrepreneurs faster access to robust intellectual property rights.