​To monitor compliance with intellectual property rights laws and circular No. (5) of 2017 on the commercial use of symbols and public titles in the StateMinistry of Economy and Commerce carries out surprise inspections targeting retail outlets across Qatar
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has carried out surprise inspections targeting a number of shops across Qatar to monitor the compliance of these shops with laws and regulations of intellectual property rights and circular No. (5) of 2017 on the commercial use of symbols and public titles in the State.
The inspection campaigns resulted in cracking down on 22 violations and fining violating shops for the unauthorized use of the slogan “Tamim Al Majd”, the Arabic for “Glorious Tamim” on various products, including “sports shirts, gold chains, perfumes, cups, office equipment and wooden boxes”. This is in violation of circular No. (5) of 2017 on the commercial use of symbols and public titles in the State and article 8 of Law No. 9 of 2002 regarding trademarks, trade data and names, geographical indicators, logos and industrial designs. The law prohibits the registration of a trademark if it is one of the State’s public titles, symbols and slogans. The use of the slogan is also in violation of Article (14) of Law No. (7) of 2002 regarding the protection of copyright and related rights, which prohibits the depiction or drawing of official figures for commercial use.
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of intellectual property laws and will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators.
The ministry invites all consumers to report any violations of intellectual property laws or irregularities through the following channels.
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
         – Twitter MEC_QATAR
         – Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The app of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR  
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has issued Circular No. (5) of 2017, on the commercial use of symbols and public titles in the State. The Ministry has recently uncovered the unregulated use of the image of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as well as symbols and public titles by some traders, suppliers and malls on commercial goods. (Such as Tamim Al Majd, the Arabic for “Glorious Tamim”).
The ministry explained that the use of a logo or trademark is restricted to lawful uses. The logo and symbol subject of the trademark should be held in high regard as a public symbol and slogan that should not be disrespected or undermined. It is therefore forbidden to use the logo and slogan in a disrespectful manner.
The ministry urged the public to respect the symbol and slogan as a public emblem that should not be disrespected or undermined.