Patents
Update concerning GCC patent applications
March 16, 2021
The Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office (GCCPO) has stopped accepting new patent applications, but will continue its operations for pending and granted cases.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office (GCCPO) grants patents which are valid in all GCC states. The six GCC member states are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
As of 6 January 2021, the GCCPO is no longer accepting new patent applications. The GCCPO will continue its operations for pending and granted cases.
Applicants will now need to file patents in each individual GCC state. It is possible to file via the Paris Convention or enter the national phase via PCT in each individual GCC state.