The Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), successfully concluded the strategic WIPO Intellectual Property Management Clinic, strengthening the capacity of Qatari enterprises to leverage intellectual property for driving innovations.
The event was held with the support of the Intellectual Property Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP).
The comprehensive two-day program successfully brought together a diverse group of experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs with the shared goal of enhancing the role of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation, boosting competitiveness, and facilitating international expansion for Qatari enterprises across various industries.
The opening session featured remarks from senior representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, QRDI Council, QSTP, QDB, and Guy Pessach, Director of the IP for Business Division at WIPO. The first day of the program addressed the growing importance of intangible assets such as innovation, branding, and proprietary knowledge as key drivers of business growth.
Participants gained insights into how patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets can be used strategically to capture value, while case studies from sectors including food and beverages and the creative industries demonstrated practical applications of IP for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Panel discussions explored the challenges and opportunities facing Qatari SMEs in protecting and managing their intellectual property both locally and internationally. Experts provided guidance on avoiding common pitfalls, developing effective IP strategies, and safeguarding digital assets in an increasingly online economy.
The agenda also included interactive roundtables where participants developed preliminary IP roadmaps tailored to their businesses, ensuring alignment between IP decisions and long-term growth objectives.
The second day saw selected companies take part in one-on-one deep-dive diagnosis and strategy sessions with WIPO experts and representatives from QRDI Council, MOCI, QDB, and QSTP. These private consultations enabled enterprises to refine their IP portfolios, align protection strategies with business goals, and explore monetization opportunities through licensing, franchising, and partnerships.
