The UAE Trademark Office has amended the documentary requirements for trademark renewals and recordals — including assignments, licenses, and changes of name or address. Under the updated practice, a copy of the trademark registration certificate is no longer required when filing renewal or recordal applications.
This change streamlines the filing process and reduces the documentation burden on trademark owners. The remaining core requirements — a legalized Power of Attorney (POA) and the relevant recordal documents — continue to apply and must still be submitted at the time of filing.
What Changed and What Stays the Same
Starting this fiscal year, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has tightened the criteria for Free Zone exemptions. Businesses must demonstrate "Substantial Economic Presence" to maintain their 0% tax status on qualifying transactions.
Scope: Renewals and Recordals Covered
The amended practice applies across the principal post-registration actions that trademark owners commonly undertake in the UAE:
- Renewals: Extending the protection of an existing registration for a further term.
- Assignments: Recording the transfer of ownership of a registered mark from one party to another.
- Licenses: Recording a licensing arrangement permitting a third party to use the mark.
- Changes of name or address: Updating the registered owner’s details on the register.
Why This Matters
Removing the certificate copy from the filing checklist is a practical, administration-friendly reform. It reduces the volume of supporting paperwork, helps avoid delays caused by missing or hard-to-locate certificates, and reflects the broader modernization and digitization of trademark administration in the UAE. For brand owners managing large portfolios, even a single fewer document per action can meaningfully reduce processing friction across many filings.
Our Recommendation: Retain Your Certificates
While the registration certificate is no longer a filing requirement, we recommend that trademark owners continue to retain copies of their registration certificates for internal records and verification purposes. These documents remain valuable evidence of registered rights and may be needed for enforcement actions, due diligence, commercial transactions, customs recordals, or proceedings before other authorities.
Key Reminders on the Remaining Requirements
- The Power of Attorney must be legalized in accordance with UAE requirements and submitted at the time of filing.
- The applicable recordal documents (such as the assignment deed, license agreement, or evidence of a name or address change) must accompany the application.
- Ensure all documents are complete and properly executed before filing to avoid office actions or delays.
How We Can Help
Our team can manage trademark renewals and all recordal actions — assignments, licenses, and changes of name or address — before the UAE Trademark Office, ensuring filings meet the current documentary requirements. We will continue to monitor procedural updates and share further developments as they arise.
For assistance with maintaining or updating your UAE trademark portfolio under the amended requirements, our specialists are available to help.