Patent Filing Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), allowing applicants who have filed an international PCT application to enter the national phase in Oman to obtain patent protection. The National Phase Filing transforms the international application into a domestic Oman patent application, governed by the Industrial Property Rights Law and examined by the Directorate of Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.

Oman’s patent framework is aligned with international standards, providing the best Oman Patent Search substantive examination, publication, and enforceable patent rights upon grant. For global corporations, universities, R&D institutions, and individual inventors, national phase entry in Oman is the essential route to protect innovations in a market that is strategically important within the GCC region.

Who is Eligible to File a Patent in Oman

Any applicant designated in the international PCT application—whether an individual inventor or a corporate entity—may file the national phase in Oman. Foreign applicants are fully permitted but must act through a locally licensed agent.

The following applies:

• Both natural and legal persons may file.
• Multiple applicants are allowed.
• Non-resident applicants must appoint an Omani patent agent through a formal Power of Attorney.
• If the applicant is not the inventor, an executed assignment from the inventors is mandatory.

Strict Deadline for Oman Patent Filing (30-Month Rule)

In Oman, there is a 30-month deadline from the earliest priority date for entering the PCT national phase.

Applicants should ensure that all core Patent filing elements—Arabic translation, bibliographic data, and required documents—are submitted on or before the 30-month deadline to avoid loss of rights.

Extensions After Expiry of the 30-Month Deadline

If the 30-month national phase deadline is missed, Oman permits late national phase entry through a reinstatement mechanism, subject to:

• A request for reinstatement within a limited period.
• Payment of applicable reinstatement fees.
• Submission of evidence showing that the delay occurred despite due care or was unintentional.
  

Reinstatement is not guaranteed, and failure to act promptly may result in irreversible loss of patent rights.

Filing Language for Oman Patent Application

The official language of patent prosecution in Oman is Arabic.

• A full Arabic translation of the PCT specification (description, claims, abstract, Patent drawings, text) must be filed.
• Supporting documents not in Arabic may also require translation.

The original PCT text (e.g., English) may be submitted for reference, but the Arabic version governs.

Accurate translation is critical, as errors can compromise scope, interpretation, and enforceability.

Required Documents to File an Oman Patent Application

Oman has clear documentation requirements for national phase entry:

Mandatory Documents

• Arabic translation of the full PCT application.
• Copy of the international application as filed.
• Details of applicants and inventors.
  

Legal Documents

• Power of Attorney (POA): Must be notarized and fully legalized (either through Apostille or consular legalization).
• Deed of Assignment: Required when the applicant is not the inventor. Must be notarized and legalized.
• Certificate of Incorporation (for corporate applicants): A simple copy is generally accepted; legalization may not be required, but translation may be necessary.
  

Priority Documents

If the priority document is not already filed in the international phase or is not in an acceptable language, a translated copy may need to be submitted.

Oman Patent Search and Examination Procedure

Oman requires substantive examination, covering:

• Novelty/Patentability Search
• Inventive step
• Industrial applicability
• Formal compliance
  

Oman Patent Search and examination are performed domestically, and the patent office may rely on foreign search/examination results, but is not bound by them.

Examination Process and Office Actions

Once the examination is requested:

• The application undergoes a detailed review.
• If issues are identified, the office issues an examination report (office action).
• Common objections relate to claim clarity, novelty, inventive step, insufficient disclosure, or incomplete formalities.
• The applicant must respond within the prescribed deadline, submitting amendments or arguments.

Failure to respond results in abandonment. 

Deadline for Request for Examination

The request for examination must be filed:

• Within 60 days from national phase entry, or
• At the latest, within 36 months from the PCT filing date

Whichever is later. Late requests result in the application being deemed withdrawn.

Publication and Its Legal Impact

After formal acceptance, the application is published in the Omani Patent Gazette. Publication provides:

• Public disclosure of the invention
• Notice to third parties
• The foundation for potential provisional protection pending a grant

However, enforceable rights arise only after a grant.

Grant Process and Enforceability

When the examination concludes successfully:

• The applicant pays the grant and publication fees.
• The patent is published as granted.
• A Letters Patent is issued.

Once granted, the patent becomes fully enforceable in Oman, allowing the owner to:

• Initiate infringement actions
• Seek injunctions
• Claim damages
• Request customs recordal for anti-counterfeiting measures

Validity Term

A patent in Oman is valid for 20 years from the international filing date (PCT filing date), subject to timely annuity payments.

Typical Time to Obtain a Patent in Oman

The average time from national phase entry to grant is approximately:

3 to 5 years, depending on:

• Examination backlog
• Number and complexity of office actions
• Speed of applicant responses

Quality of translation and claim drafting

Annuities and Maintenance

• Annuities are payable annually beginning one year from the PCT filing date.
• They must be paid in advance each year.
• A six-month grace period is allowed with a surcharge.
• Failure to pay within the grace period results in lapse of the application or granted patent.

Official Government Fees for Oman Patent Filing

(Fee values are presented generically because Oman periodically revises its fee schedule. Actual amounts are confirmed during filing.)

National Phase Filing Fees (Standard Applicants)

Examination & Publication Fees

Annuity Fees

Discounted Fees (Where Applicable)

Certain categories, such as research institutions, students, and small enterprises, may receive statutory fee reductions under Omani regulations.

Utility Model Protection in Oman

Oman currently does not offer a separate utility model system. 

All protectable inventions must be filed through the standard patent route. Applicants seeking utility-model-type protection must rely on full patent examination or alternative rights such as industrial designs or trade secrets, depending on the nature of the invention.

Oman Patent Office & Official Website 

Patent rights in Oman are administered by the Directorate of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.

Official Website: Oman Patent Office