Patent Litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Overview | Practical Law

Patent Litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Overview | Practical Law

A Q&A guide to patent litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Patent Litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Overview

Practical Law Country Q&A 7-621-5595 (Approx. 24 pages)

Patent Litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Overview

by Tima Hachem and Lea Feghali, Alyafi IP Group
Law stated as at 01 Aug 2020 • ExpandBahrain, Kuwait, Oman...Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
A Q&A guide to patent litigation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Q&A gives a high-level overview of patent disputes, including sources of law; court systems; substantive law; parties to litigation; enforcement options; competition and anti-trust issues; procedure in civil courts; preliminary relief; final remedies; appeal procedure; litigation costs; and reform.
At its 41st meeting on 5 January 2021, the Supreme Council of the GCC approved the amended GCC Patent Law (Regulation). The significant change is that the GCC Patent Office (GCCPO) will cease to operate the unified patent filing system for the GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), effective 4 January 2021. However, patent protection in those countries can be sought at the national patent offices. The GCCPO will continue to process pending applications and receiving annuity payments, but will not accept new GCC patent applications. More details will be available once the implementing regulations are issued.