Commerce
Ministry Emphasizes Importance of Adhering to Controls for Trademark
Registration

Muscat,
12 Oct 2026 (ONA) — The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment
Promotion emphasized the importance of the commitment of institution and
company owners and entrepreneurs to legal requirements when selecting,
designing, and registering trademarks. This is to ensure the preservation of
intellectual property rights, limit commercial disputes, and enhance consumer
confidence and fair competition.

The
Ministry clarified that a trademark is considered one of the important
intangible assets for institutions, given its role in distinguishing products
and services, building a commercial reputation, and enhancing their presence in
local and foreign markets.

Eng.
Khalid Hamoud Al Hinai, Director of the National Intellectual Property Office
at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that the
Ministry is working to enhance the intellectual property rights protection
system and raise awareness on the importance of registering trademarks in
accordance with approved legal frameworks, as it is a supporting element for
the growth of institutions and the sustainability of their businesses.

He
added that building a successful trademark is not limited to choosing a
distinctive name or designing an innovative logo, but rather begins with
ensuring its eligibility for registration and legal protection. The trademark
represents an economic and investment value that grows with the expansion of
the project, and it is important that this value is based on legal foundations
that preserve the rights of its owners and enhance consumer confidence.

He
pointed out that the National Intellectual Property Office continues its
efforts to consolidate a culture of respect for intellectual property rights
and to introduce the regulations governing the registration of trademarks. This
encourages project owners and innovators to develop independent commercial
identities that reflect the specificity of their products and services, and
supports the emergence of Omani brands capable of competing and growing.

He
indicated that among the most prominent controls that must be observed is
refraining from including official flags, logos, and sovereign symbols of
states or organizations, or their imitations, in trademarks, in accordance with
the cases where the law prohibits their registration. These controls aim to
protect official symbols and prevent their commercial use in a way that might
suggest an existing governmental connection or official accreditation that does
not exist.

He
clarified that the use of names of countries, regions, and geographical
indications is, in turn, subject to legal controls, especially if it would
cause confusion for the consumer regarding the origin or source of the goods or
services. Furthermore, the use of images of castles, forts, and historical
landmarks is not absolutely prohibited; however, accepting the registration of
the trademark depends on the nature of the elements used in it, the extent to
which it is free of official symbols or protected elements, or whatever might
suggest a governmental association.

He
emphasized that taking these requirements into account from the early stages of
developing a commercial identity helps avoid the rejection of registration
applications, saves time and costs, and limits the possibilities of future
legal disputes arising.

For
his part, Ghalib Mohammed Al Saidi, Head of the Commerce Section at the
Directorate of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in the Musandam
Governorate, clarified that examining trademark registration applications
represents an essential stage to ensure the soundness of legal procedures and
protect the rights of trademark owners. He pointed out that the examination
process is not limited to verifying the general shape of the trademark, but
also includes studying its distinctiveness and eligibility for registration,
and ensuring it does not conflict with legal impediments or existing rights.

He
added that among the most prominent reasons that may lead to the rejection of
registration applications is the trademark containing legally protected
official symbols or logos, or the use of geographical names and data in a
manner that might suggest an unreal source for the products or services, in
addition to trademarks that include elements that would mislead the public or
cause confusion among consumers.

He
explained that using names and geographical indications in trademarks requires
considering the nature of the products and services and their connection to the
indicated geographical location. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing
between the legitimate use of geographical names and cases that might lead to
giving an incorrect impression about the origin or characteristics of the
product, thereby preserving the rights of producers, protecting consumers, and
enhancing credibility in the markets.

Al
Saidi affirmed that conducting a preliminary search and examination before
submitting a trademark registration application is considered one of the
important steps that project owners and designers should pay attention to, as
it helps discover potential legal impediments early on and limits the costs
resulting from modifying or redesigning the commercial identity after
submitting the application.

Regarding
the legislative framework, the Ministry clarified that the registration of
trademarks in the Sultanate of Oman is subject to the provisions of the
Trademarks Law (System) of the GCC, issued by Royal Decree No. (33/2017),
alongside the provisions of the Industrial Property Rights Law issued by Royal
Decree No. (67/2008) for matters not specifically addressed in the trademarks
system.

These
legislations regulate the conditions of registration, the reasons for
rejection, and the procedures for examining applications, publishing them, and
objecting to them, as well as the rights resulting from registration and the
means of protecting them.

The
Ministry indicated that submitting a registration application does not mean its
automatic acceptance, as applications are subject to examination in accordance
with legal provisions and executive regulations. This includes the possibility
of requesting modifications or imposing necessary restrictions to define the
trademark and prevent confusion, and notifying the applicant of the reasons for
rejection or suspending procedures when necessary.

It
added that upon acceptance of a trademark, it is announced according to
approved procedures, and any concerned party has the right to submit a written
objection within 60 days from the date of publication. The protection period
for a registered trademark extends for 10 years from the date of submitting the
registration application, with the possibility of renewing it for similar
periods in accordance with legal conditions and procedures.

The
Ministry called on institution and company owners, entrepreneurs, and designers
to conduct a prior legal examination of trademarks and ensure their
distinctiveness and freedom from prohibited symbols, elements, or data that
might mislead consumers, affirming that awareness of these requirements
represents an essential step for building strong and sustainable trademarks.

—Ends/AG