Intellectual Property Services

Intellectual property in the UAE is governed by several federal laws rather than one single law. Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 covers trademarks, Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 covers copyright and related rights, and Federal Law No. 11 of 2021 governs patents, industrial designs and other industrial property rights. The applicable protection and registration requirements depend on the type of intellectual property.

Trademark registration with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism provides important legal rights, including the ability to prevent unauthorised use of identical or confusingly similar marks. Although certain well-known trademarks may receive protection without UAE registration, businesses should not rely on commercial use alone. Registration is generally the clearest way to establish and enforce trademark rights.

No. Copyright generally arises automatically when an original work is created. Books, photographs, software, artistic works and other eligible creations may receive protection without registration. However, registering copyright with the relevant UAE authority can provide useful evidence of ownership if a dispute arises.

Foreign intellectual property rights are not automatically enforceable in every situation. Trademarks and patents generally require protection recognised under UAE law, although international arrangements and protections for well-known trademarks may apply. Copyright can also receive protection through applicable international treaties. The appropriate enforcement procedure depends on the type of intellectual property and the rights involved.

An idea alone is not necessarily protected by intellectual property law. However, an original expression, registered trademark, patented invention or protected confidential information may qualify for legal protection. An intellectual property lawyer can assess whether your rights have been infringed and advise on available remedies, including legal notices, infringement complaints and court proceedings.

No. A UAE trademark registration generally provides protection within the UAE, not automatically throughout the Middle East. Businesses seeking protection in other countries may apply separately in those jurisdictions or use the Madrid Protocol to request international trademark protection in participating countries.

Yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 allows distinctive non-traditional trademarks, including sounds, smells and three-dimensional shapes, to be considered for registration. However, the mark must satisfy the applicable legal requirements, including distinctiveness, and must not fall within the prohibited categories.

A UAE patent generally provides protection for 20 years from the filing date, subject to the applicable legal requirements and payment of annual fees. Patent protection cannot ordinarily be renewed beyond this statutory period. Once protection expires, the invention generally enters the public domain, subject to any other applicable rights.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism offers an expedited trademark examination service, allowing an application to be examined within one business day for an additional fee. The currently listed examination fee is AED 2,250. This does not mean the trademark will be fully registered within one day, as publication, opposition and final registration procedures may still apply.

Yes. A personal name may be registered as a trademark if it meets the applicable requirements, including distinctiveness. However, registering another person’s name, nickname, image or surname generally requires their prior consent or that of their heirs, as applicable. The Ministry will also consider whether the proposed mark conflicts with existing rights or other registration restrictions.