Trademark Registration In UAE

A trademark is a name, words, symbols, pictures, logos, and designs, among other things. These assets can be a representation of a company's products or services, or both. Considering consumers have a tendency to associate products with a brand through their trademark, firms that are registered and always stay fresh in the thoughts of their consumers are encouraged.

Due to the nation's straightforward and supportive commercial transaction processes, the UAE has been the nucleus for some great businesses, and several corporations and their brands have been able to thrive there.

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Economy is the designated authority in control of trademark registration, renewal, and revocation. The primary law regulating trademarks is the Federal Law on Trade Marks (No.36 of 2021).

The law covers all seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates i.e. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. The Registration Certificate of Trademark in UAE is valid for all 7 States.

In September 2021, the UAE government confirmed its intention to join the Madrid Protocol. The country's accession to the Madrid system will allow companies and organisations in the UAE to apply for international trademark protection covering all member countries through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland, rather than applying to each country individually.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Madrid Protocol provides a centralised trademark registration procedure for worldwide protection, you cannot register your application with the WIPO directly. To file a trademark under the Madrid System, you must have either an existing registered trademark or a current trademark application in the Office of Origin.  The Office of Origin is the National IP Office of one of the Madrid Protocol nations in which the applicant has a real and functional industrial or commercial enterprise or a domicile, or is a national. The basic mark is a trademark registration awarded by the IP office of the country of origin.

Limitations for applying for a trademark in UAE

• Following are the type of possessions that the authorities in the UAE prohibit from registering as trademarks:
• Descriptive Marks or marks that are not distinctive
• Any mark that is against public morals or public order
• Flags that bear similarities to flags of any country, international organizations, governments
• Emblems and logos of a similar nature
• Logos of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent or any other imitation of such similar organizations
• Marks that look similar to symbols having a purely religious character
• Use of Geographic names that may cause misunderstanding as to the origin of a product or service
• National Medals, International Medals, Banknotes, coins
• A translated version of a well-known mark or an already registered trademark if such it confuses the consumers

Documents required:

• Trademark Logo;
• Copy of Trade Licence;
• Power of Attorney (PoA);
• Passport Copy;
• Priority Document;
• List of Goods & Services to be protected.

Trademark registration process:

1. Trademark Search
The first stage in the UAE trademark registration process is ensuring that the trademark isn’t currently used by another company. It is not mandatory but highly advisable to check before filing the application for a prior identical or similar application/registration.

2. Trademarks Application
After completing the trademark search, trademark agents file the application with Trademark office. Foreign companies/individual cannot file a trademark application without approved trademark agents in UAE

3. Order from the registrar
In accordance with the law, the registrar issue an acceptance or rejection order against a trademark application.

4. Publication of Trademark
In case of acceptance, the trademark is published into two local Arabic newspaper within 30 days count from acceptance letter. Official fees of publication of trademark into official gazette are also required to be paid at the same time. The deadline to pay the final registration fees count from the date of last day of the opposition period. Deadline is 30 days.

5. Certificate
Trademark office issue the registration certificate at the same of paying the final registration fees. Trademark registration certificate is valid for 10 years count from the date of filing the application.

Fee

Filing an application: 750 AED
Publication of an application: 750 AED
Trademark registration: 5,000 AED
Trademark renewal: 5,750 AED

Legacy Partners is one of the top agents for U.A.E trademark registration. We have registered thousands of brands locally and internationally. 
If you need further assistance or you have any questions, please contact us at: globalip@legacypartners.ae