Trademark Application Filing and Registration in Oman
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To initiate a successful application via trademark application filing and registration in Oman, applicants must prepare carefully. The governing statute is Industrial Property Law (Royal Decree No. 67/2008) (as amended by Royal Decree No 131/2008) and earlier Royal Decrees.
Begin with a comprehensive search to ensure your mark is not already registered or in conflict with existing rights. Submit the application to the Intellectual Property Department (IP Department) at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion. Documents typically include: a representation of the trademark, a list of goods or services under the Nice Classification, the applicant’s details (name, address, nationality), a notarised Power of Attorney if filed via agent and, where applicable, a priority document.
Note: Oman currently does not support multi-class applications; each class must be filed separately. The process from filing through to registration may take around 12–15 months in uncomplicated cases. Use local language or an Arabic translation of key documents when required, and appoint a local authorised agent where needed. Proper preparation helps avoid procedural objections and delay.
A fundamental part of filing is understanding how Omani law governs marks. The Industrial Property Law defines a trademark as any visible sign capable of distinguishing goods or services of one undertaking from those of another. Some marks are excluded: those devoid of distinctive character, those which are misleading, or those conflicting with well-known marks.
Foreign applicants enjoy national treatment under the law, provided their home country offers similar treatment to Omani nationals. For enforcement and validity, Section 16 of the Law stipulates that non-use for five consecutive years may lead to cancellation.
This legal understanding ensures you structure your rights acquisition in Oman with clarity around eligibility, distinctive character and continuous use requirements.
The Trademark Registration Process in Oman follows defined stages. After filing the application and paying fees, the examiner assesses formalities and substantive criteria including distinctiveness and prior rights. Once accepted, your mark is published in the Official Gazette and in a local daily newspaper for an opposition period of 60 days from publication. Oppositions may be filed by third parties; if none occur (or are resolved favourably) the registration certificate is issued and your mark is valid for 10 years from the date of application. Should your application face objections, the applicant has 60 days to respond or the filing may lapse. Understanding the timeline and procedural steps aids in realistic planning and risk mitigation.
When you register a brand name or logo via register brand name & logo in Oman, you choose between a word mark, device mark or a combination. Ensure your brand identity is clearly defined and capable of exclusive identification.
Consider whether your mark qualifies as sufficiently distinctive, not purely descriptive or generic. Non-conventional marks (colour combinations or stylised designs) may be accepted if they function as identifiers.
Include accurate and specific descriptions of your goods/services under the Nice classification (goods classes 1–34; services classes 35–45) and file class by class. Because Oman doesn’t allow multi-class filings, each filing covers one class only.
Registering your brand name and logo strengthens your position for long-term enforcement, counters potential infringement, and supports strategies such as International Trademark Registration to extend protection beyond Oman.
Awareness of trademark cost and trademark registry fees in Oman enables accurate budgeting. According to one 2017-era guide: pre-filing search USD 360 per class, registration request USD 1,260 per class, and certificate issuance USD 480 per class under smooth circumstances. Other guidance notes official filing fee approximately USD 985 plus publication and final registration fees (USD 24 each) though figures may vary with exchange rate and service provider.
Professional agent fees and translation/legalisation costs are additional. Factoring in all fees including renewal and monitoring is essential before committing to registration in Oman.
Long-term protection means planning for trademark renewal and maintenance in Oman. Registrations are valid for 10 years from filing and may be renewed for successive 10-year terms. Renewal applications should be filed within the expiry year or during the six-month grace period post-expiry (subject to penalty). Maintaining use of the mark is critical: under Oman law if use ceases for five years the registration may be vulnerable to cancellation. Retention of records sales invoices, packaging, marketing material—supports your rights in Oman and assists with any enforcement or renewal issues.
Ultimately, trademark infringement and enforcement in Oman determine the practical value of your rights. Registered marks grant the owner exclusive rights to prevent unauthorised use of identical or confusingly similar marks in connection with goods or services covered by the registration. The law sets out both civil and criminal sanctions: for example, counterfeiting or bad-faith use may incur imprisonment (up to two years) and/or fines up to OMR 2,000.
Preliminary injunctions and provisional measures (such as seizure of infringing goods) are available via the Commerce Court. Active monitoring of the Omani market and timely enforcement action are key aspects of effective trademark protection in Oman.
When planning your approach to Trademark Filing and Registration in Oman, appropriate legal guidance is central to navigating the local regulatory environment, class-by-class filings, renewal obligations and enforcement strategy. The law firm Kayser & Co brings both regional insight and global brand protection experience to support rights-holders in Oman’s market. With the detailed guidance above, you can approach the process of trademark strategy in Oman in a structured, informed and effective way managing your brand’s entry, protection and ongoing presence in the market with confidence.
In straightforward cases without objections, registration in Oman may take approximately 12 to 15 months from filing to certificate issuance.
Yes. Foreign entities may file provided they appoint a local agent or address for service, submit required documentation (including apostilled or legalised Power of Attorney where applicable) and comply with Omani procedural formalities.
A registered trademark in Oman is valid for ten years from the filing date, and may be renewed for further ten-year periods.
While formal use requirements vary, failure to use a mark for five consecutive years can lead to vulnerability to cancellation. Maintaining records of use is advisable.
If renewal is not filed before the expiry year and any grace period is missed, the mark may lapse and be removed from the register. Restoration may be possible under certain conditions.
No. Rights are territorial. However, Oman is party to the Madrid System, allowing use of International Trademark Registration for extending protection into Oman.