GCC Patent Office

rdf:langString GCC Patent Office

rdf:langString The GCC Patent Office (GCCPO) is a regional patent office based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC consists of six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2013, it employed about 30 patent examiners. The GCCPO was established under the GCC Patent Regulation, which was approved by the Supreme Council of the GCC in its 13th session held in Abu Dhabi, from 21-23 December 1992. The office began accepting applications on 3 October 1998, with the first patent granted in 2002. The patent system was amended in the Supreme Council's 20th session held in Riyadh, from 27-29 November 1999. It was amended to conform to the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement (TRIPS) within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework of agreements. The GCCPO played a role in "encouraging and supporting innovation, creativity and invention" within the GCC. Upon securing patent protection, inventors would find it easier to develop or commercialize their technology across the region. As of 5 January 2021, the GCCPO has stopped accepting new applications, although it will begin processing them again after amending the Patent Regulation.