Following publication of the above decision, the Copyright Protection Office circulated the relevant forms which will be required to be completed and submitted in addition to the existing documentation. 

In Summary

The implementing regulations of the Qatari Copyright Law No. 7 of 2002 have not yet been issued; thus delaying the implementation of the law.  Before issuance of the above decision, it was possible to deposit a copyright work with the Copyright Protection Office; however, it was not possible to settle the relevant fees or have a certificate issued.

The impacts of issuance

Issuance of the above decision will effectively empower the copyright holders to legally enforce their rights against any third party infringements attempts, as well as have the ability to commercialise their copyrights in the Qatari market. In addition, the applicants can now request payment of the filing fees, as stated in the new filing form issued, as well as requesting a certificate.