International Trademark Registration: Helping Qatar’s SMEs to Thrive

October 11, 2024

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic development and diversification. Qatar is no exception. According to the Qatar Development Bank, Qatar is currently home to some 32,000 registered SMEs.

Qatar’s recent accession to WIPO’s international trademark system – the Madrid System – has opened up a whole new commercial world to Qatar’s SME community, through simpler and centralized cross-border brand protection.

Qatar is the fourth of the six countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council to join WIPO’s international trademark system. The accession further strengthens the Madrid System as a practical and efficient solution for protecting trademarks worldwide.

Ambassador Ahmed Essa Al-Sulaiti, Director of the Office of the State of Qatar to the World Trade Organization and Other Economic Organizations in Geneva, standing at a podium holding a speech. The WIPO and Qatari flags are behind him.
(Photos: WIPO/Berrod)
“Small and medium enterprises have emerged from the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial passion of youthful generations who are capable of bringing to the market unique and distinctive products and services. SMEs contribute to Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), aimed at building a diversified, knowledge-based economy that thrives on creativity and innovation, leading to an economic landscape attractive to investment.”

- Ahmed Essa Al-Sulaiti, Director of the Office of the State of Qatar to the World Trade Organization and Other Economic Organizations in Geneva

Large corporations helping smaller companies to discover the Madrid System

With the support of four major sponsors – the telecommunications company “Ooredoo”, the Asma Al-Ghanem Law Firm, Qatar Airways and the Qatar National Bank – representatives from several Qatari SMEs have been on a field trip here at WIPO headquarters in Geneva this week.

In the words of the sponsors…

"As a company operating across multiple jurisdictions, Ooredoo Group fully understands intellectual property’s vital role in fostering innovation, securing businesses and creating an ecosystem conductive to sustainable growth."

- Mr. Hilal Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer, Ooredoo Group
"Companies need to ensure registration of their trademarks. Whether you’re a startup or a multinational, it’s important to have a clear legal strategy to protect your trademarks from the start. We, at Asma Muftah Al-Ghanem Advocates and Legal Consultants, help businesses navigate challenges related to trademark registration by ensuring that their trademarks are properly registered, protected, and enforced."

- Ms. Asma Muftah Al-Ghanem, Founder of Asma Muftah Al-Ghanem Advocates and Legal Consultants

Did you know? Qatar Airways has five international trademark registrations through WIPO’s Madrid System, including the name “WeQare”! Between them, they already provide protection in some 37 countries worldwide, as well as the European Union. With decisions pending in the intellectual property (IP) Offices of other Madrid System Members where they also seek protection of their brands, the geographical scope of Qatar Airway’s cross-border trademark protection is ever-increasing.

You can find details of all of Qatar Airways international trademark registrations in Madrid Monitor, available under eMadrid.

The aim of this field trip?

To learn how to leverage WIPO’s international trademark system to protect their brands and expand into new international markets; and to share that knowledge with other SMEs back home!

How? Through panel discussions with WIPO and other international guest experts, and interaction with participants at the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Madrid System, meeting here in Geneva from October 7 to 11, 2024.

It’s the ideal opportunity for these SMEs to gather a working knowledge of the legal requirements of the Madrid Protocol – the governing Treaty of WIPO’s Madrid System – and of the countries or regions where they seek protection of their brands.

Introducing four very successful national Qatari brands…

HAIRAAT Jewellery

In their own words, Hairaat – established in Doha in 2011 – “encapsulates Qatar's culture and heritage in timeless pieces of jewelry.”

Photo of Ms. Nada Al Sulaiti wearing a black abaya, sitting behind a table covered with red drapes; a glass showcase containing samples of Hairaat’s products including rings, bracelets and necklaces. A publicity panel shows a model wearing a Hairaat pearl and diamond headdress.
"We have many international clients, but we only have trademark protection in Qatar. Today, Hairaat is a luxury brand with products in many different classes. With the Madrid System I will be able to choose specific countries and classes to protect Hairaat and will be able to at cost. It’s a more efficient way as It’s a one-stop solution for me that will give my brand more exposure and more credit."

- Ms. Nada Al Sulaiti, CEO, Hairaat

GHAND Jewellery

Ghand is a luxury, bespoke jewelry brand founded in 2017 by sisters Hissa and Jawaher Al Mannai.

Photo shows Ms. Jawaher Mohammed Al Mannai, wearing a cream-colored abaya and deep red head scarf, standing behind a display table holding a box containing GHAND jewelry. The table is covered with gift bags, framed photos of products, and samples of jewelry. A display panel shows a gold and diamond encrusted ring and GHAND’s logo. Text reads GHAND Fine Jewellery.
"International trademark protection is vital to help creativity in Qatar, and to help us diversify as a nation. Many small businesses don’t understand foreign trademark laws. Using the Madrid System, I will be able to use a representative. That way I can focus on creativity and design, and they can focus on managing my rights."

- Ms. Jawaher Mohammed Al Mannai, Co-owner and Creative Director, Ghand

QATAR PAFKI

The corn-based savory snack brand “Qatar Pafki” is owned by Qatar Food Factories, one of Qatar’s leading snack-food companies.

Photo shows Mr. Mazen Gabr Fayad wearing a black suit, shirt and tie, standing behind a display table and four red chairs. The table is covered with packets of QATAR PAFKI snacks in orange, green and red packets. A yellow display panel features photos of different packets of QATAR PAFKI snacks. Text reads Choose your flavour.
"We started business back in 1984. We are a well-established brand; It’s important that we protect our name overseas. So far, we have had filed separate applications in different countries. It’s a lot to manage. The Madrid System will give us the chance to protect our brands further afield more easily."

- Mr. Mazen Gabr Fayad, Sales Manager, Qatar Food Factories

RAW Middle East

Raw ME, launched in 2012, is a healthy plant-based food and beverage company offering vegan prepared meals, cold-pressed juices, and more.

Photo shows Mr. Gabe Glennon wearing a grey suit and open neck white shirt, standing behind a display table with framed copies of RAW’s national trademark registrations and publicity materials. A white display panel features the RAW logo and a bottle of RAW Radical roots – a cold-pressed juice – lying on a green leaf. Text reads RAW Simply Nourishing, Plant-based goodness, Freshly made in Qatar. A second panel shows the Fruity Friends brand and a packet of ‘pink apple slices’. Text reads Low in fat and a natural source of fiber – fruits make a great snack.
"Raw ME was Qatar’s first producer of healthy, fully plant-based juices. We produce one million of our “Fruity Friends” drinks per month for Qatar Airways! It’s really helped to spread our name across the world. We only have trademark protection in Qatar. Our brand has already been stolen by an overseas company; they even tried to reimport back into Qatar using our name! We need to be protected globally."

- Mr. Gabe Glennon, Sales Director, Raw ME

Find out more