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Reserve Trade Name (Terms & Regulations)

The following table shows the terms and regulations to consider when reserving a trade name:

Terms Notes
It shall not be registered for conducting business activities that are offensive to the public or do not abide by Islamic law.  
It shall not include any of the ninety-nine names of Allah or any sectarian or doctrinal names, official names or names and emblems of local, Arab and international bodies, institutions and organizations, and names of countries.  
It shall not be similar or identical to an already registered local or international trademark, or a famous trademark (even if not registered), unless the concerned parties have an exclusive contract to use it as a trade name.  
It shall not be misleading to the public with respect to the type, importance or volume of the trade. If the merchant name or surname is similar to the trade name, it must include a statement distinguishing it from the previous title.  
The trade name may contain Arabic and/or foreign characters, provided the name in foreign letters is written in Arabic, e.g. global (جلوبال).  
Names of cities, rivers and famous places may be used if they exist. Registration of trade name may be repeated depending on the different business activities.  
The trade name may comprise “father or son of” provided it is linked to one of company’s purposes. The Arabic word Ibn or Bin (meaning son) is considered the same.  
Numbers may be registered in the trade name provided they are written in letters and associated with the company’s purpose.  
A new owner can use the predecessor’s trade name only after obtaining written permission.  
Any trade name that includes Qatar, Qatari, national or public may only be registered in companies established or incorporated by the government of Qatar.  
The trade name may not be registered if it is already registered in a plural or singular form unless the business activity differs e.g. flower of the future and flowers of the future.  
The trade name must be consistent with the business activity and legal form of the company. Contracting companies or pharmacies
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: Holding Company, Arabic: شركة قابضة
Holding Company
  • The trade names of joint liability companies shall consist of all partners’ names. However, they may be limited to the name of one or more partners adding the word “and partners.” The company may keep the name of a partner who has withdrawn or died, if the partner that has withdrawn or the heirs of the deceased partner permit it.
  • The company may have a special trade name, provided there is proof that it is a joint liability company, e.g. Integrated Solutions for Consultations (joint liability company).
  • The following words shall be added to the name: - English: and Partners,  Arabic: وشركاه
Joint Liability Company
  • It shall only include joint partners’ names in addition to proof of existence of other partners. 
  • It may have a special trade name provided it is accompanied elements showing it is a limited partnership, e.g. Ibtikar for Services “LLC.” The name of the silent partner shall not be included in the company name. 
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: Limited Partnership, Arabic: توصية بسيطة أو وشركاه
Limited Partnership Company
  • The company shall have a trade name which may be derived from purpose of its establishment. The name of the company shall be associated with the name of its capital owner and shall be followed by the term "One-Person Company" (OPC).
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: OPC, Arabic: ش. ش. و
One Person Company
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: L.L.C, Arabic: ذ.م.م
  • It shall have a name derived from its purpose or from the name of one or more of its partners. Such a name may include in both cases a creative name, provided it shall not be misleading in its objectives or identity. 
Limited Liability Company
  • The company may have a special trade name or its trade name may be taken from one of its purposes. It may not carry the name of a natural person unless the company’s purpose is to invest in a patent registered in the name of such persons or owns a commercial establishment in the name of a natural person and takes its name for the company. 
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: Public Shareholding, Arabic: ش. م.ق
Public Shareholding Company
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: Private Shareholding, Arabic: ش. م.ق
Private Shareholding Company
  • Company trade name shall consist of the name of one or more of joint partners, and may add an innovative derived from its purpose.
  • The following words shall be added to the name: English: Limited by Shares, Arabic: توصية بالأسهم
Partnership Limited by Shares