Trademarks in the United Arab Emirates

Competent Authority & System

• Official Authority: Ministry of Economy and Tourism (formerly the Ministry of Economy), through its trademark services.
• Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks.
• System: one national registration, handled by the Ministry for the whole country.

International Treaties

• Madrid System: the UAE deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on 28 September 2021, and the Protocol entered into force for the UAE on 28 December 2021. The UAE can be designated in an international registration.
• Paris Convention: the UAE is a party to the Paris Convention.

Applicant & Representation Requirements

• Who may apply: companies, establishments and individuals. A local individual applying in a personal name needs no commercial licence. A company or institution needs a commercial licence.
• Foreign owners: they must file through a registered trademark agent in the UAE and provide a duly certified and notarized power of attorney.

Online Services & Database

• Online filing: applications are made through the Ministry's website or its smart app, by completing the application details and uploading the required documents.
• Documents: an image of the trademark in JPEG format, a copy of the trade licence for businesses, and the notarized power of attorney when an agent is used. Further documents apply to quality marks, collective marks and geographical indications.

Examination Process

• Examination: the Ministry checks that the mark is not identical or similar to one already registered or applied for with it.
• Expedited examination: available for an extra fee (see Official Fees).

Publication & Opposition

• Publication: once accepted, the mark is published in the official trademark bulletin, which is issued twice a month. The publication fee must be paid within 30 days of the acceptance decision.
• Opposition period: 30 days from the date the trademark bulletin is issued. An opposition is submitted in writing to the Ministry.

Timeline & Expedited Examination

• Certificate: the registration certificate is issued within 30 days after the opposition period ends and the final fee is paid.
• Examination time: the Ministry's service pages give different times for the decision, so we confirm the current time when we quote.

Official Fees

• Examination: AED 750, or AED 2,250 for expedited examination.
• Publication: AED 750.
• Registration: AED 5,000 for a trademark and AED 7,500 for a quality mark.
• Total for a standard trademark: AED 6,500 (application AED 750, publication AED 750, final registration AED 5,000).
• Late payment: if the publication fee is not paid within 30 days of the acceptance decision, a penalty of AED 100 a month applies, up to AED 1,000 a year. If the final registration fee is not paid within 30 days after the opposition period ends, a penalty of AED 1,000 a month applies, up to AED 10,000 a year.

Duration & Renewal

• Validity period: renewal extends protection for another ten years.
• Renewal window: the request must be made within the tenth (final) year of the current protection period, or at most six months after it ends.
• Renewal fees: AED 750 for publication, plus a final renewal fee of AED 5,750 during the final year, or AED 6,500 within six months after expiry.
• Renewal procedure: there is no new examination and no opposition to a renewal.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.