Tag: Patents

On May 8, 2025, the UAE Prime Ministry announced the establishment of the Industrial Property Grievance Committee, as outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. (36) of 2025. This new body, which came into effect on May 9, 2025, is designed to address patent disputes and aims to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency in resolving industrial property-related issues in the UAE.

Current vs. New Process

Prior to this development, patent disputes in the UAE lacked a formal appellate process, often leading to delays and inconsistent outcomes. The newly introduced system streamlines the dispute resolution process by establishing clear procedural timelines. Following the registration decision by the Ministry, a grant certificate will be issued unless a post-grant re-examination is requested within 90 days. However, any interested party has the right to file a grievance within 60 days of the decision. If the grievance is not resolved to their satisfaction, the applicant may appeal the Grievance Committee’s decision within a further 30-day period to the competent court.

Key Features of the New Appellate Process

1. Appeals Timeline: Appeals must be filed within 60 working days from the date of the decision notification to the party concerned.
2. Committee Formation: Upon receiving an appeal, the Ministry will review the procedural requirements and form the Industrial Property Grievance Committee. The Committee may request additional information, data, or supporting documentation from the appellant, ensuring that all necessary details are considered before proceeding.
3. Hearings and Expert Opinions: Both parties involved in the dispute will have the opportunity to present evidence. The Committee can also seek expert opinions when deemed necessary to ensure an informed decision-making process.
4. Decision and Communication: The Committee will issue a reasoned decision within 60 days of the appeal submission. This decision will include legal and factual grounds for the ruling. The decision will be communicated to the parties within 15 working days through modern communication channels.
5. Publication for Transparency: To ensure transparency, all final decisions will be published in the Official Gazette, providing public access to the outcomes and reinforcing the system’s accountability.

A Step Forward for UAE’s Patent System

The establishment of the Industrial Property Grievance Committee marks a significant step forward in strengthening the UAE’s intellectual property (IP) framework. By providing a formalized, transparent, and efficient process for resolving patent disputes, this new mechanism offers applicants greater legal certainty and confidence in the protection of their innovations.

The introduction of this system reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to improving its IP regime, aligning with global best practices and providing a more robust and predictable environment for businesses and innovators operating in the region.

For further details, please refer to the official announcement: Source. 

For practical insights, feel free to reach out to our experienced Patent Team at: patents@unitedtm.com 

A new historical Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge was agreed upon at WIPO on May 24, 2024. The event is seen as a historic landmark, especially for Indigenous peoples, who see it as a great tool against the pillaging of their traditional knowledge and genetic resources.

The treaty was agreed upon by more than 190 nations. With the main aim of combating what Indigenous peoples call “biopiracy,” it makes it mandatory for patent applicants to disclose the origin of the materials used in their new inventions. Companies have been increasingly using genetic resources that are found in different forms of products, spanning from cosmetics and medicine to seeds, food supplements, and biotechnology.

The purpose of the treaty is to increase transparency on intellectual property pertaining to Indigenous traditional knowledge about resources. The treaty does not, however, address the issue of material compensation for Indigenous communities. The treaty is the culmination of more than 20 years of negotiations and work at WIPO, which described it as the first treaty to address “the interface between intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge.”

The Indigenous Caucus group sees the treaty as a foundation for a sustainable future for all, as it recognizes the role of Indigenous peoples in the protection and survival of genetic resources by transmitting traditional knowledge from one generation to the next. While it is established that natural genetic resources are not considered protected intellectual property, it is, however, always possible to patent inventions developed using those resources. The main goal of the treaty is to combat biopiracy by ensuring that what is being patented is a genuine innovation while the countries and communities concerned agree on the usage of their genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

According to the treaty, patent applicants will have to disclose the origin of the genetic resources they used in their inventions and the Indigenous people who provided their traditional knowledge. This comes as a relief to the concerns of many developing countries, which have always been calling for further transparency regarding the origin of genetic resources. They have always been skeptical and suspicious that patents granted are circumventing the rights of Indigenous peoples.

The treaty also establishes that sanctions are to be imposed in accordance with the national laws of member countries adopting the agreement. There are already more than 30 countries that have mandated disclosure requirements in the texts of their national laws. This group of countries does not only include emerging market economies such as Brazil, China, India, and South Africa but also some Western countries, including Germany, France, and Switzerland.

It is worth mentioning that the disclosure procedure is not always mandatory. The text of the new treaty stipulates that countries “shall provide an opportunity to rectify a failure to disclose the information required… before implementing sanctions.” However, it denies such an opportunity for rectification in “cases where there has been fraudulent conduct or intent as prescribed by national law.” According to the treaty, a country is not allowed to “revoke, invalidate, or render unenforceable” a patent for the sole reason that necessary disclosure has not been made by the patent owner.

The text of the treaty comes as a finely balanced compromise between, on the one hand, the rights and legitimate concerns of Indigenous peoples and communities, and on the other hand, the advanced so-called first-world countries whose scientific and commercial entities are the most likely to come up with new inventions or patents where some of the knowledge can be based on genetic resources or traditional knowledge. The local communities wanted to preserve and protect their genetic resources and the traditional knowledge associated with those resources. The advanced countries wanted to foster innovation through the establishment of new patents.

The treaty aims to improve the patent system in terms of caliber, effectiveness, and transparency so that access conditions are implemented and respected and to ensure that the benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources are properly shared. The new treaty guarantees the implementation of previous international agreements such as the Nagoya Protocol and the Biodiversity Agreement for Areas Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ).

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Collaboration Opportunities on Social Media

Combating counterfeiters on social media platforms involves cooperation between brand owners and platform enforcement structures. This cooperation can range from simple reporting procedures to takedown mechanisms and even joint lawsuits, where both the platform and brand owners take legal action against counterfeiters.

Collaboration with influencers often involves complex negotiations around royalty rights, contractual obligations, and termination rights. Influencers frequently build their own brands in parallel with the brands they promote, which can complicate matters. In some cases, collaborating with influencers may prove too costly or burdensome, in which case brands should consider refraining from such partnerships.

Social media messaging can significantly impact brand reputation, underscoring the importance of timely and accurate responses. Brands must be proactive in addressing issues and managing their online presence to protect their reputation effectively.

The Web Summit, the world’s largest Technology and Entrepreneurship event, made its debut in Qatar from February 26 to 29, 2024, marking the first time it was held in the Middle East and Africa. Web Summit Qatar 2024 provided an exceptional opportunity for 12,000 tech entrepreneurs, investors, and enthusiasts from across the globe to converge and foster the growth and development of startups. It was another significant global event hosted by Qatar, representing a new milestone in its journey of excellence and success.

The summit’s predominant themes revolved around Artificial Intelligence (AI), E-commerce, Fintech, and Cleantech. Thousands of entrepreneurs convened in Doha intending to enrich the digital landscape. The attendees, comprising web and program application developers, CEOs, investors, tech creators, social media influencers, music composers, and art platforms, came together, solidifying Qatar’s position as a 21st-century innovation hub.

Key figures from the technology sector were in attendance, gathering the brightest minds to advance Qatar’s knowledge-based economy, stimulate investment in research, and foster strategic alliances as part of Qatar’s National Development Strategy. The event was hailed as a “celebration of Startups” by Casey Lau, head of Web Summit Asia, emphasizing the birth of ideas, new concepts, and visions culminating in actionable plans.

Moreover, startups are fundamentally built on innovative ideas nurtured with business plans and visions, striving to create something novel and distinctive, with a focus on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The Web Summit in Doha also underscored the integral role of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in digital technology and innovation. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights were directly implicated in the challenge of enforcing these rights in the digital era alongside AI, blockchain strategies, branding protection, data privacy, and more. Panel discussions, interactive workshops, and e-commerce analyses were conducted to foster an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to “Educate, Inspire, Connect” by empowering aspiring web innovators to develop new products and services.

Startups from Qatar and around the world competed in the Web Summit Qatar pitching competition, engaging in a dynamic, onstage competition to present their ideas to a live audience of investors, tech leaders, and mentors. According to Jack Lau, the President of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), the significance of Web Summit lies in positioning Qatar as an innovative hub, with QSTP playing a pivotal role in supporting startups on their path to success, including collaborations with local universities.

In addition to discussions on emerging technologies and industries, a panel focused on branding emphasized the importance of understanding brands and the responsibility associated with owning them. Web Summit has consistently advocated for the role of women in technology, with the percentage of women attendees and startups founded by women steadily increasing.

The primary objective of Web Summit Qatar 2024 is to launch a range of initiatives to strengthen the tech and startup ecosystem. These initiatives aim to offer robust support to businesses and startups, attract new investments in the highly promising technological field, promote local technological potential, and provide young entrepreneurs and graduates with promising work opportunities. Qatar’s highly sophisticated infrastructure provides a clear competitive edge in achieving these goals.

The resounding success of the 2024 Qatar Web Summit makes the 2025 edition a highly anticipated event for tech experts and entrepreneurs alike. Aligned with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, the ultimate aim is to sustain and increase the number of startups by establishing more ecosystems in neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, further diversifying the Qatari national economy and ensuring ongoing prosperity for Qatar and the world’s new generations.

QSTP is Located in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, where it has unparalleled access to a large number of research universities. The members of QSTP are collectively committed to investing in new technology development programs, creating intellectual property, enhancing technology management skills and developing innovative new products. QSTP is increasingly recognized as an international hub for applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

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While the world is witnessing a growing wave in all fields of work interest, Qatar has played a pioneering role in establishing a robust healthcare system in the region. This involves aligning expertise and technicity with the newest Medical Technology (MedTech), placing medical personnel at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

In the same perspective, the healthcare industry is directly influenced by Intellectual Property (IP) law, governed by innovation, which is the main driver behind the development of a well-established healthcare sector.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines digital health, in its Digital Health Strategy (2020-2025), as the utilization of digital technologies and data to enhance health outcomes, improve health system performance, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Healthcare and IP are inherently connected; these two realms are in symbiosis, creating an environment of trust for patients towards medical professionals.

Digital Health Technologies in Qatar

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Digital health technologies differ according to the healthcare service the patient is dealing with. Qatar has incorporated a Digital Transformation related to various medical aspects:

• Digital platforms are enabled to facilitate access for patients to their medical records, history, consultations, and database, creating a personalized service through applications, Virtual care, digital infrastructure, and Telemedicine.
• Data Analytics and Health Research and Development in different medical specializations.
• Accessibility and Awareness of personal health.

Simultaneously, an urgency to protect IP rights arises as the healthcare sector becomes increasingly digitized in Qatar. Securing Qatar’s Digital Health is concretized through safeguarding patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. In other words, by protecting IP rights, innovation is consecrated, acknowledging that patents play a crucial role in realizing improvement in the healthcare industry.

AI in Healthcare and IP Governance

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare is rapidly advancing, imparting a transformative impact on different medical sectors. This is simultaneously governed by IP, supporting innovation and creating new realities.

On the other hand, the WIPO Academy is moving forward to provide skills and education for medical professionals, supporting entrepreneurs, researchers, and professors in developing their practical IP skills in the field.

All equipment, machinery, software reveal the intersection of AI and the Healthcare ecosystem in Hospitals, Clinics, and Medical Centers, used by Doctors, Nurses, and Technicians to deliver diagnostic advancements in the field.

IP Protection and Legal Framework

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However, challenges may arise concerning the emergence of new technologies and the need for IP protection, especially between the adoption of these new devices and creating a safe IP environment related to healthcare.

Regarding the Qatari Legal framework, patents, copyright, and trade secrets are protected, in addition to licensing, registering, and enforcing IP rights procedures in Digital Health in Qatar.

Therefore, protecting IP rights goes beyond safeguarding the company’s (the creator) own interests; it permits a wide and focalized protection for the patient’s life and health by encouraging and facilitating the establishment of innovation and research and by appropriately using technology innovation globally to be more accessible and equitable.

Public-Private Partnerships and Hamad Medical Corporation

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Public-Private Partnerships in Qatar’s Health sector are essential through daily collaboration with the intervention of Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health. This collaboration aims to facilitate and enhance the development of healthcare with adequate medical and curative methods, cooperating with international entities, and academic and professional organizations holding the newest inventions and practices.

As for Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the main healthcare corporation in Qatar, it is one of the leading hospitals in the GCC countries and in the Middle East. HMC has been organizing several workshops and seminars, such as the “HMC Intellectual Property and Innovation Workshop,” during which the Academic Health System (AHS) Program Office, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation’s IP & Technology Transfer (QF IPTT) Office, hosted an Intellectual Property (IP) and Innovation workshop.

The workshop provided participants with knowledge on essential aspects of clinical and healthcare-related IP and technology transfer, how this relates to innovation and IP development in Qatar, and how to protect IP effectively.

HMC is rapidly proving itself as the leading academic health system in the region. Research and Education are becoming integral parts of HMC’s healthcare, considering that HMC’s strategic vision is to provide the best and safest care to its patients.

In addition to that, the Medical Research Center (MRC) in Qatar at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is conducting research and developing knowledge through innovation, supporting Qatar’s research community in initiating innovative and ethical studies in diagnostics and treatments and expanding globally into international collaborations.

Conclusion

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Consequently, the main challenge consists of creating a counterbalance between the rapid growth of Healthcare Innovation and IP Protection. Innovation is the driving goal of Medical Improvement, which can’t function without prioritizing IP services and support.

Simultaneously, WIPO’s Global Challenges program seeks to raise awareness and understanding of the complex linkages between global health and access to medical technologies, innovation, technology transfer, and trade. The goal is to leverage intellectual property (IP) as a tool that contributes to meeting the world’s most pressing health needs.

The WIPO Global Health Innovation Fellowship, launching in October 2023, aims to bridge healthcare and innovation, foster inclusivity, promote collaboration, and drive local growth and development.

Hence, the integration of advanced technologies and Digital Innovation in the Healthcare field in Qatar is a revolution in patient care and well-being. It is continuously emerging by optimizing the efficiency of the Healthcare infrastructure.

As technology in this field continues to evolve, the enforcement of IP rights in Digital Health technologies is crucial, noting the nexus relation between Healthcare and IP. This reveals the link of MedTech Innovators to IP services and support. Setting up an effective MedTech Innovation ecosystem, Qatar’s Healthcare landscape is proving successful in highlighting the importance of fostering Innovation and promoting equitable access to healthcare products in a Global Health plan and IP Strategy for the benefit of the Patients’ Healthy, secured, and better Life.

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Resources

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1. WIPO, The Digital Health Revolution: Leveraging Intellectual Property for Equitable Access and Innovation, August 4, 2023, https://www.wipo.int/policy/en/news/global_health/2023/news_0011.html
2. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Academic Health System, HMC Intellectual Property and Innovation Workshop, https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Education-and-research/Academic-Health/Events/Pages/HMC-Intellectual-Property-and-Innovation-Workshop.aspx
3. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Academic Health System, HMC Intellectual Property and Innovation Workshop, https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Education-and-research/Academic-Health/Events/Pages/HMC-Intellectual-Property-and-Innovation-Workshop.aspx
4. WIPO, Global Health and IP, https://www.wipo.int/policy/en/global_health/
5. WIPO, Empowering MedTech Innovators Through the WIPO Global Health Innovation Fellowship, September 27, 2023, https://www.wipo.int/policy/en/news/global_health/2023/news_0015.html