Intellectual Property & Trademark in the UAE

Intellectual property work in the UAE

The firm covers UAE matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in the United Arab Emirates. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a UAE law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter in the Emirates. Within that cooperation we scope trademark filings, portfolio reviews, licence recordals and enforcement strategy for the UAE market, and the file is coordinated with the partner office from our head office in Kuwait.

The UAE IP framework

Trademarks are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021, in force since 2 January 2022, with its executive regulation issued by Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2022. Copyright and neighbouring rights sit under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021, and patents, utility models, industrial designs, layout-designs of integrated circuits and undisclosed information under Federal Law No. 11 of 2021 - a patent is protected for twenty years and a utility certificate for ten. The Ministry of Economy is the competent registration authority.

Trademark registration and term

Applications are filed with the Ministry of Economy under the Nice Classification. Registration protects the mark for ten years and is renewable; the law allows renewal within six months after the ten-year term expires, plus a further three-month extension where the justifications are accepted. A refusal can be challenged before the Trademark Grievance Committee under Article 14 of the law, and onward before the Federal Court of Appeal.

Enforcement and international protection

Protection under the federal law is national; international protection runs through the Madrid Protocol, in force for the UAE since 28 December 2021. For counterfeit goods and infringement, the law provides administrative and judicial routes with deterrent penalties. For the wider commercial practice, see General Commercial & Corporate; to scope a UAE filing, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which authority registers trademarks in the UAE?

The Ministry of Economy, under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 (in force since 2 January 2022) and its executive regulation issued by Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2022.

How long is a UAE trademark protected?

Ten years, renewable. The law allows renewal within six months after the term expires, with a further three-month extension where the justifications are accepted by the Ministry of Economy.

Is the UAE part of the Madrid System?

Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for the UAE since 28 December 2021, so the Emirates can be designated in international registrations. UAE matters are covered in cooperation with the firm's announced partner office; the firm does not itself hold a UAE law practice license.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in the UAE · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Egypt · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Saudi Arabia · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Qatar · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Oman · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Bahrain