The GCC Trade Mark Law: Moving Closer, in Different Ways

Analysis

When will the GCC Trade Mark Law be implemented in member states? Is further legislation required prior to implementation? Are member states planning local modifications to the Law?

Following the publication of the Trade Mark Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) States in 2013 (the GCC Trade Mark Law ), attention has turned to the implementation of this Law, in particular when it will come into force.

This article examines this question, within the framework of the GCC legislative system. In particular, we consider when the GCC Trade Mark Law may come into force in each of the GCC states, and the extent to which it will still be necessary to look at national legislation in order to confirm the position in each GCC state.

A short history of the GCC Trade Mark Law

The harmonisation of intellectual property and other laws has been a long-standing project for the six GCC states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with a GCC Patent Law being in place since 1992 and a GCC Customs Law being in place since 2003.