Oman enforces new submission requirements for trademark filings
11 November 2024
Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has recently issued an official notice to all trademark agents. In the letter, the head of the intellectual property office reminded agents of the requirement to submit the original legal power of attorney (POA) when filing applications for opposition cases, appeal cases, changes in name, address, assignment and licence records, agent-of-service changes, applicant detail amendments, patents and industrial designs. This submission is essential for the timely processing of these applications and to comply with Articles 4, 24 and 31 of the Executive Regulations of the Unified GCC Trademark Law, as established by Royal Decree No. (33/2017).
Zayrah Marzan | head of IP advisory @ JAH Intellectual Property, Doha
“The original of the apostilled or legalized power of attorney, when filing applications for opposition cases, appeals cases, recordal of change of name, address, assignment and licence, recordal of change of agent of service, amendment of applicant’s particulars, patents and industrial designs should be prosecuted to the IP department,” said Zayrah Marzan, head of IP advisory at JAH Intellectual Property in Doha.
She added: “It is permitted under the practice of the Omani trademark registrar to file trademark applications, renewal, recordal of change of name, address, assignment, appeals, oppositions or licence agreement without the complete required documents which should be submitted within 60 days from the date of filing at no additional cost; otherwise, a penalty of official fees of US$55 will be due after the said 60 days term without a time limit.”
According to her, the required power of attorney in Oman must have an Apostille certification if the country of the applicant company is a member of the Hague Convention; otherwise, POA should be legalized up to an Omani consulate abroad.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
