INTA Holds First Examiners Workshop in Qatar

NTA and Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) co-hosted a workshop for examiners and other key MOCI staff at the Ministry’s headquarters in Doha, Qatar, October 10–11, 2022.

Opening the workshop, MOCI Assistant Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs HE Saleh Al Khulaifi highlighted the importance of the workshop and encouraged participants to engage in the discussion and share the unique challenges they face in their daily work.

INTA Global Advisory Council (GAC) Co-Chair Munir Suboh (BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP, United Arab Emirates (UAE)) and GAC members Mark Devaney (Clyde & Co., UAE), and Yasir Masood (Dennemeyer & Associates S.A., UAE) led the two-day workshop, sharing INTA’s Model Laws and Guidelines and touching on a variety of key intellectual property issues, including searches, famous and well-known marks, certifications and nontraditional marks, family names as trademarks, and geographical indications. The examiners had many questions on these topics as well as about other issues they encounter regularly, such as the link between trademarks and trade names.

During a feedback session at the half-way point of the workshop, MOCI Director of Intellectual Property Protection Amna Jaber Alkuwari explained that the feedback was very positive and that MOCI looked forward to arranging further workshops covering international treaties and enforcement. Ms. Alkuwari also expressed interest in collaborating with INTA on awareness sessions for public employees in different government departments and agencies, and for the public at large, including students. MOCI is also very interested in INTA’s Women’s LeadershIP Intuitive and expressed strong interest in participating in the program.

INTA would like to thank MOCI for its hospitality and cooperation in hosting this successful workshop and looks forward to working together on future workshops and events. Thank you also to our INTA speakers for presenting an engaging and informative workshop.

INTA Consultant Charles Shaban supports the Association’s members across Africa and the Middle East. In collaboration with the staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City and Representative Offices around the world, Mr. Shaban works on the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in these regions. To learn more about INTA’s activities in Africa and the Middle East, please contact INTA Consultant Charles Shaban.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest. 

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