No trademark or part thereof shall be considered as such, nor shall it be registered if it has any of the following descriptions: 1. A mark which is free of any distinctive feature, consisting of signs or details which are only the customary names that are given by custom and usage to goods, products and services, or familiar drawings and ordinary pictures of goods and products. 2. Expressions, drawings or signs which are immoral or contrary to public order. 3. Public slogans, flags, military emblems and other insignia belonging to any of GCC countries, other states, Arab or international organisations or one of their agencies, or any imitation of such things. 4. Signs which are identical to the sign of the Red Crescent or Red Cross and other signs that are imitations thereof. 5. Marks identical or similar to symbols of a purely religious nature. 6. Geographical names, if their use is likely to cause confusion regarding the source or origin of the goods or services. 7. Name of a third party, surname, photograph or logo, unless he or his heirs agrees in advance to the use thereof. 8. Information relating to honorary or academic degrees which the legal entitlement of which the applicant for registration does not prove. 9. Marks which are likely to mislead the public, or contain a false indication of the origin or source of the goods or services or other descriptions and other marks which contain a false, imitated or forged commercial name. 10. Marks owned by natural or corporate persons with whom dealing is banned pursuant to a decision issued in this respect by the competent authority. 11. Marks that are identical or similar to a mark previously registered by others for the same goods, services or similar goods or services if the use of the mark to be registered would generate linkage with the other owner’s registered goods or services or damage his interests. 12. Marks for some goods or services whose registration may diminish the value of the goods or services distinguished by the previous mark. 13. Marks which are copies, imitation or translation of a famous trademark or part thereof which is owned by others, to be used to distinguish goods or services identical or similar to those distinguished by the famous mark. 14. Marks which are copies, imitation or translation of a famous trademark or an essential part thereof owned by others, to be used to distinguish goods or services not identical or similar to those distinguished by the famous mark, if such use indicates alink between such goods and services and the famous mark and could likely damage the interests of the owner of the famous mark. 15.     Marks which contain the following words or phrases:“Franchise”, “Registered” or “Registered fee or copyrights “or similar words and phrases. Article 4 1. No registration of a famous international trademark shall be permitted beyond its country in which it registered unless expressly agreed to by its owner. 2. The fame of the mark shall be determined by the extent of its well-known status among the public as a result of its promotion, the period of the registration or use thereof, the number of countries that have registered or has well-known status there or the value of the mark and the extent of its impact in the promotion of goods or services for which the mark is used to distinguish. 3. Famous trademarks may not be registered to distinguish goods or services not identical or similar to those which were distinguished by such trademark if: A. The use of the trademark indicates a link between the goods or services required to be distinguished and the goods or services of the owner of the famous trademark. B. The use of the mark could damage the interests of the owner of the famous mark. Article 5 The following categories are entitled to register their respective trademarks: 1. Any natural or legal person who is a national of a GCC country and an owner of a factory or a product, a craftsman or trader, or owner of a private service project. 2. Foreigners residing in any of the GCC countries and who are licensed to engage in any activities relating to trade, industry, crafts or service. 3. Foreigners who are belonging to a member state of multilateral international convention thata state of the GCC countries is a party, or who are residing in that state. 4. Public utilities. Article 6 1. A register entitled "Trademarks Register" shall be established at the Competent Authority, wherein all trademarks, names and addresses of owners, as well as descriptions of respective goods or services shall be entered. The register shall also record any amendments that may occur, such as transfer, assignment or license to use, lien, renewal or cancellation. All concerned parties shall be entitled to review the register and to take a certified extract therefrom. 2. Trademarks Register existing at the time of application of the provisions herein shall be merged into the Register set forth in the preceding item and shall be an integral part thereof. Article 7