Trademark

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since September 19, 1996. The International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks under the Nice Agreement (10th edition) is followed in the UAE. Federal Law No. 8 for the year 2002 amended some articles of the Federal Law No. 37 for the year 1992. The law covers the seven Emirates of Abu-Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al-Quwain. A separate application has to be filed with respect to each class of goods or services.A certified translation of the trademark is to be submitted as well. Once a trademark application is filed, it is examined as to its registrability. Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Trademark Journal as well as in two local daily Arabic newspapers and the cuttings of the notices are to be submitted to the Trademark Office. Any interested party may file a notice of opposition to the registration of the mark within 30 days from the date of any publication. The Registrar’s decision concerning the opposition may be appealed to the Committee and the Committee’s decision to the competent court. In the absence of opposition, a trademark is registered and the relative certificate of registration is issued. According to Decree No. 12 for 2002 issued by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce on February 3, 2002, payment of registration fees should be made within 60 days from the date of expiry of the opposition period or the date of receiving a decision from the Trademark Office regarding an opposition (if any). Based on this, our invoice covering registration charges will be issued at the filing stage in order to attend the payment of the official fees to the Trademark Office.

A trademark registration is valid for 10 years as of the date of filing the application renewable for similar periods. The renewal fees of a trademark registration can be paid during the final year of the protection period. A grace period of 3 months is allowed for late renewal with a fine. The renewal of a trademark is also published in the Trademark Journal and in two local daily Arabic newspapers. The ownership of a registered trademark can be assigned with or without the goodwill of the commercial enterprise. Unless an assignment has been recorded in the register and published in the Trademark Journal, the assignment shall have no effect vis-à-vis third parties. Changes in the name and/or address of the registrant must be recorded in order to protect rights. Registered user agreements, license and amendments which do not affect the identity of the mark substantially, limitation of the list of goods and/or services covered by a trademark registration can be recorded as well. Use of a trademark is not compulsory for filing application for registration or for maintaining the registration in force. However, any interested party may request the court to cancel a trademark registration, if the owner fails to use such a trademark in the UAE for 5 consecutive years from the date of registration. Illegal and/or unauthorized use of a registered trademark by any third-party, use of a fake or counterfeit trade/service mark, application to one’s goods a registered trademark belonging to another party in bad faith, dealing in goods bearing a fake or counterfeit trademark, rendering services under a fake or counterfeit service mark, and use of a trademark that falls under certain categories of unregistrable marks are offenses punishable under the law in the UAE.

  • Full Name and address of the applicant
  • A power of attorney executed by the applicant duly notarized by the Notary Public and legalized up to the UAE consulate. The Power of Attorney should be submitted along with the trademark application
  • A list of goods/services to be covered by the application
  • Soft copy (electronic copy) of the mark to be registered
  • A certified copy of the priority application, if priority is claimed (claiming priority can be made only within 6 months from the first filing date in a member state under Paris Convention)

  • Full Name and address of the applicant
  • A Power of Attorney executed by the applicant duly notarized and legalized up to the UAE Consulate. The Power of Attorney should be submitted along with the trademark application
  • A certified and legalized copy of Article of Incorporation along with the amendments made thereto
  • The list of goods/ services that will be covered under this certification mark
  • Soft copy (electronic copy) of the mark to be registered
  • Information about the authorized users of the mark, it should be by listing all the pre-approved companies/individuals/associations that are allowed to use your logo on their products. This will include specifically the name and the address of the users
  • The procedures and methodology your client will undertake whenever there is a new potential user for the certification mark, this will be in a form of checklist, policies, procedures, inspection plan…etc. that your client will have to do before approving the new member to start using the trademark
  • A certified copy of the application filed for the mark, in case of claiming priority.  (claiming priority can be made only within 6 months from the first filing date in a member state under Paris Convention)

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the applicant duly notarized and legalized up to the UAE Consulate. It is necessary to submit the legalized Power of Attorney at the time of filing the application.
  • Certified and legalized copies of the articles of incorporation of the legal persons who take care of the quality control and testing stating the amendments that have been made to the regulations

A Power of Attorney duly notarized & legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE. (In case we are not the attorney of record at the UAE Trademark Office).

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the assignee and duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
  • A duly notarized & legalized deed of assignment executed by both parties.
  • A simple copy of the registration certificate of the mark. (If the same is not in our files)

  • A Power of Attorney in the name of the licensee duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
  • A legalized copy of the license agreement executed by both parties
  • A simple copy of the registration certificate of the mark. (If the same is not in our office)

  • A Power of Attorney in the new name and/or address duly notarized & legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
  • A legalized certificate proving the change of name or address issued by the local competent authority of the applicant’s domicile
  • A simple copy of the registration certificate of the mark. (If the same is not in our files)

  • A Power of Attorney duly notarized & legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
    • Notes:

  • The originals have to be shown for checking when submitting the application.
  • The application is to be submitted in two copies each one in a separate file.

    • For companies:

  • All that was mentioned above in No. 2 and extracts of entries for all the partners or certificates from the Migration, Nationality and Passports Department stating that they are nationals.
  • Two copies of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Incorporation duly legalized.
  • For individual merchants, two copies of the following:
  • The commercial permit.
  • The entry in the commercial register.
  • The commercial agency agreement duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.
  • The Arabic translation duly notarized, if the agency contract is not in Arabic.
  • The agent’s entry or identification card.
  • The Powers of Attorney duly notarized.
  • Two copies of the declaration.
  • A certified copy of the home/foreign application/registration, if priority is claimed.
  • The Minister’s approval to the registration of the mark. This will be obtained at our end.
  • Two copies of the list of goods to which the mark is used for the testing measures mentioning their specifications and quality.
  • A list of the persons who are going to use the mark.
  • Two copies of the rules, which the applicant follows in quality control and testing measures stating the amendment’s made thereto. It is possible to amend the rules of use after filing.
  • Twenty prints of the mark to be registered. (Size 6cm×6cm)
  • A list of the goods or services to be covered. 
  • A legalized copy of the application filed for the mark, in case of claiming priority.
  • Meaning of the mark, if any or its origin.
  • A copy of the certificate of registration of the trademark. (If the same is not in our files).

Patents

UAE Patents

Federal Law No. 44 for the year 1992 pertaining to the Industrial Regulation and Protection of Patents, Industrial Drawings, and Designs was replaced by Federal Law No. 17 for the year 2002 and later amended by the Federal law 31 for the year 2006. As per the last issued law, protection period for patent is 20 years and for Utility Certificate is 10 years. No extension of this term is allowed in the UAE. A patent granted under the Federal law of the United Arab Emirates provides protection in the seven emirates namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras-Al-khaimah, Umm-Al-Quwain and Ajman.

UAE is a member of a number of international bodies, namely:

  • WIPO Convention, since September 1974.

  • Paris Convention (Industrial Property), since September 1996.

  • PCT (Patents), since March 1999.

  • WTO: Member and Signatory to TRIPS Agreement, since April 1996.

  • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), effective November 1998.

The United Arab Emirates is covered under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which also covers IP protection in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar and State of Kuwait. Patents are granted in UAE if the applications meet the criteria of Novelty, Inventive Concept (also known as Non-obviousness) and Industrial applicability.

NOVELTY: Although the UAE Patent law does not have any stipulation of novelty except the mention of “new”, the implementing regulations require the administration to examine the patent as to the new invention has no precedence in the industrial prior art which means that the invention was not disclosed to public anywhere at any time whether by written, oral disclosure or by use or any other method which allows the understanding of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY: The invention can be used on an industrial level.

NON- OBVIOUSNESS: The invention should have technical development which is not obvious to any skilled person related to field of technology to which the invention belongs.

All patent applications filed at the UAE Patent Office are subject to substantive examination and are bound to meet the above mentioned patentability criteria for receiving acceptance by the Patent Office. The examination of Patents is conducted by the Austrian Patent Office through a special agreement between them and the UAE Patent office and a request for examination is possible only after receiving notification from the UAE patent office informing that the application has reached the examination stage. The administration shall notify the applicant should the application be rejected and the applicant may file a petition to the competent committee within a period of 60 days as of the date of notification. Upon the decision of the Minister of Economy for accepted applications, the letters patent and utility certificates shall be issued and published in the Industrial Property Journal. Any interested party may file an objection thereon to the competent committee within a period of 60 days from the date of publication. The letters patent or the utility certificate shall be issued to the applicant if no objection has been filed during the specified period.

According to the UAE Patent Law, annual maintenance fees are due on the anniversary of the International filing date for the national phase of PCT applications and on the anniversary of the national filing date for non-PCT applications (including both priority and non-priority applications). The annuities can be settled within three months from the due date without any consequences and an extension of another three months is allowed for settling the due annuities with a surcharge. The right to a patent may be assigned or licensed. An assignment shall have no effect against third parties, unless it has been recorded at the Patent Office and published in the Industrial Property Journal.

Working of patents in the UAE is an official requirement. If the owner of a patented invention does not satisfy the stipulated working requirements within 3 years from the issuance of the letters patent, or the owner refuses to license it under a contract of fair terms, the patent will be subject to compulsory licensing under the provisions of the law. Technical know-how is protected from any unauthorized use, breach or disclosure. Infringement of the owner’s rights is punishable under the provisions of the law.


  • A Power of Attorney duly legalized up to the UAE Consulate.

  • A duly legalized extract from the Commercial Register or from the Memorandum of Association, if the applicant is a company or body corporate.

  • One copy of the English specification and claims together with its Arabic translation.

  • One set of the drawings relating to the invention, if any.

  • An abstract of the invention of no more than 200 words, together with the best explanatory diagram.

  • A duly legalized deed of assignment signed by the inventor, if the applicant is not the inventor.

  • A certified copy of the application giving the filing date, number and country if the application is to be filed with a priority claim.

Note: Please note that the documents in item (3, 4 and 5) should be submitted at the Patent Office on the filing date of the application, while documents in items (1, 2, 6 and 7) can be submitted within 90 days (strictly non-extendible) from the filing date of the patent application.

For PCT applications entering the national phase in the UAE, a copy of the PCT international publication search and examination reports must be submitted with the application.

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the assignee and duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.

  • A duly legalized deed of assignment executed by both parties.

  • A duly legalized Certificate of Incorporation of the assignee.

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the licensee and duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.

  • A duly legalized license agreement executed by both parties.

  • A Power of Attorney in the new name and/or address duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.

  • A legalized certificate proving the change of name or address issued by the local competent authority of the applicant’s domicile.

  • A Power of Attorney legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.

    • For individual merchants, two copies of the following:
  • The commercial permit.

  • The entry in the commercial register.

  • The commercial agency agreement duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.

  • The Arabic translation duly notarized, if the agency contract is not in Arabic.

  • The agent’s entry or identification card.

  • The Powers of Attorney duly notarized.

  • Two copies of the declaration.

Notes

  • The originals have to be shown for checking when submitting the application.

  • The application is to be submitted in two copies each one in a separate file.

    • For companies:
  • All that was mentioned above in No. 2 and extracts of entries for all the partners or certificates from the Migration, Nationality and Passports Department stating that they are nationals.

  • Two copies of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Incorporation duly legalized.

GCC Patents

The Gulf Cooperation Council

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, is a trade bloc involving the following six Arab Gulf States: State of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, State of Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On May 25, 1981, the leaders of the aforementioned states met in Abu-Dhabi, UAE, where they reached a cooperative framework joining the six states. The agreement to establish the GCC was signed on November 11, 1981 in Riyadh.

According to Article 4 of the GCC Charter, the basic objectives of the GCC are: to effect coordination, integration and inter-connection between GCC member states in all fields in order to achieve unity between them; to deepen and strengthen relations, links and areas of cooperation currently prevailing between their peoples in various fields; to formulate similar regulations in various fields including the economic and financial affairs, commerce, customs and communications, education and culture; to stimulate scientific and technological progress in the fields of industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources; to establish scientific research; to establish joint ventures and encourage cooperation by the private sector for the good of their peoples.

The GCC Patent Office

The GCC Supreme Council, during its 13th session held in December 1992, approved the Patent Regulation and the Statute of the GCC Patent Office.

The Patent Office was opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it started receiving applications as of October 3, 1998.

In November 1999, the GCC Council proposed further amendments to the Regulation; the amended Regulation became effective as of August 16, 2000.

Certificates of patents granted by the GCC Patent Office secure legal protection of the inventor’s rights in all member states of the GCC which comprises the State of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, State of Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A patent shall be promptly validated in the member states as of the date of grant. At the moment, national patent offices are in operation in a number of the GCC states. These national offices grant patent protection in their respective countries, and the applicant may file as many applications as he wishes with any national office whether such office is already in operation or still in the process of establishment. The applicant may also file an application with the regional office, if he so wishes.

Procedures of the GCC Patent Office

Once an application for a patent is filed with the GCC Patent Office, it is examined with respect to the compliance of the applicant with the formalities. If executed satisfactorily, the application receives a filing number and the filing date is secured. The patent law stipulates absolute universal novelty.

Disclosure of the invention anywhere, expressed by use, in writing, by oral disclosure, or in any other way before the relevant date of filing the patent application, or the priority date of validity claimed in respect thereof, shall destroy the required absolute novelty unless the disclosure has occurred due to arbitrary actions of others, against the applicant or his predecessor or as a result thereof.

The patentee may claim priority of a previous application from another country or a regional application within 12 months of the original filing.

A patent is valid for 20 years from the date of filing the patent provided the maintenance annuities are paid. A patent is subject to annuity due at the beginning of each year subsequent to the year in which the application was filed and payable within a period of 3 months (January 1 to March 31). Late payment is possible within 3 months thereafter in exchange for an additional fee.

The patentee shall exploit the invention covered by the patent as sufficient exploitation in the GCC member states, within 3 years from the date of granting. If the prescribed grace period lapsed without the patent being sufficiently exploited, the Board of Directors may grant a compulsory license according to specific conditions.

Filing Requirements

  • A Power of Attorney duly notarized and legalized up to the consulate of any GCC state.
  • A certified copy of the certificate of incorporation or an extract from the commercial register of the applicant company duly legalized by the consulate of any GCC state
  • A deed of assignment executed by the inventor(s), assigning their patent rights to the applicant, also notarized and legalized up to consulate of any GCC State.
  • A certified copy of the priority documents. If the documents are not in English, a simple English translation is required.
  • Copy of the specification, claims, abstract and drawings in English and Arabic languages.

Note: A GCC patent application can be filed with the English text of the specification and claims together with the Arabic translation thereof. Documents 1, 2, 3 and 4 above should be submitted to the GCC Patent Office within 3 months from the date of filing the application. Failure to meet the deadline will cause the application to lapse, as no extension is granted by the GCC Patent Office

Designs

Designs ; the UAE Patent Office has started the examination of the design applications. Accepted design applications will be published in the Official Gazette shortly. A design or industrial model registration is valid for 10 years.
The payment of annuities can be made on or before the due date at any time and for any number of years, however, annuities can still be paid during the 3 months after the due date without a late payment fee and another 3 months with a late payment fee, (the total grace period is 6 months).

  • A Power of Attorney duly legalized up to the UAE Consulate.
  • A duly legalized extract from the Commercial Register or from the Memorandum of Association, if the applicant is a company or body corporate.
  • Two copies of the model or design, if it is two-dimensional or two copies of each view thereof, if it is three-dimensional.
  • A duly legalized deed of assignment signed by the inventor, if the applicant is not the inventor.
  • A certified copy of the priority document, if it is to be claimed.

Note:

Please note that the documents in item 3 should be submitted at the Patent Office on the filing date of the application, while documents in items (1, 2, 4 and 5) can be submitted within 90 days (strictly) from the filing date of the design applications.

It is worth mentioning that the Patent Office in the UAE is only accepting applications. Examination of filed design applications has yet to start, and therefore, no designs have been granted yet.

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the assignee and duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
  • A duly legalized deed of assignment executed by both parties.
  • A duly legalized Certificate of Incorporation of the assignee.

  • A Power of Attorney executed by the licensee and duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE.
  • A duly legalized license agreement executed by both parties.

  • A Power of Attorney in the new name and/or address duly legalized up to the Consulate of the UAE
  • A legalized certificate proving the change of name or address issued by the local competent authority of the applicant’s domicile.

Other Intellectual Property Services

Domain Name & Web-hosting

The United Arab Emirates Network Information Center (UAEnic) is the local registry for the Top-Level Domain Names (.ae) in the UAE.

Top-Level Domain Names

  • .ae: commercial companies or individuals

Second-Level Domain Names

  • .net.ae: network providers
  • .org.ae: non-profit organizations
  • .gov.ae: government and ministries
  • .ac.ae: colleges, universities or academic institutes
  • .sch.ae: public and private schools
  • .pro.ae: professionals
  • .name.ae: personal use

Domain Name Applications
  • Application Form which can be submitted by email.
  • Letter requesting the domain name registration, on official letterhead, submitted by email. See sample request letter.

Litigation

Easyway intellectual property provides through our expert lawyers legal actions that can be taken to deal with attempts of unlawful use of trademarks , patents, industrial designs, as well as cases of infringements and Unfair competitions.

Among these actions are:
  • Notice of opposition: usually filed during the publication in the official gazettes against trademarks , patents or industrial designs, which are found similar or identical to those previously registered.
  • Cancellation action: can be initiated against a registered trademark, patent or design which is proved to be registered on bad faith or contrary to the relative law in that country. Also a cancellation action can be filed based on non use if it is confirmed that the subject trademark is not used for a number of consecutive years ( usually between 3-5 years according to each country).
  • Infringement and Unfair competition: such kind of cases are instituted before the concerned courts upon locating counterfeited products or goods bearing trademarks or trade dresses confusingly similar to well-known marks.

Infringement

Easyway intellectual property provides a wide array of Anti-Infringement and Anti-Counterfeiting services which safeguard your Intellectual Property rights as well as your financial interests. Our consultants command the necessary expertise to advise you on Anti-Infringement and Anti-Counterfeiting matters. We also actively pursue cases involving Copyright, Trademark and Service mark Infringements in our service area which includes the UAE and the countries in the GCC and Middle East.

Our Anti-Infringement and Anti-Counterfeiting services include the following:
  • Drafting, Filing and Follow-up of administrative complaints with the Authorized Local Govt. Departments
  • Working with Authorized Departments regarding Seizure and Confiscation of Imitated materials
  • Advising and Developing Infringement and Anti-Counterfeiting strategies
  • Market Analysis and Research
  • Market Monitoring and Advising about Parallel Imports

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

This collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) provides brief answers to many common questions about the Intellectual Property Rights Protection in United Arab Emirates. Please select a category from the tab menus below that best suits your area of interest. You may also search a string in all FAQs.

No, protection of the mark is granted to the shape in which it is registered.

Filing a trademark claiming the class heading in addition to specifying other items of the applicant’s interest in the application will provide the broadest protection.

No.

No. Separate application should be filed for each class.

Yes, within six months of the filing date of the priority application.

Yes. The Power of Attorney should be legalized up to the UAE consulate in the applicant’s country.

The legalized Power of attorney should further be locally attested here in UAE by the Ministry of foreign affairs before submitting to the trademark office. The charges for attestation vary according to the amount charged by the UAE consulate in the applicant’s country. If the UAE consulate in the applicant’s country charges the applicant with USD 600 for legalization, then here in UAE the ministry of foreign affairs will charge us with USD 75 and vice versa.

Yes. The power of attorney can be submitted within 60 days from the filing date with no charges. Further extensions of 30 days can be obtained with a charge of USD 40.00. Late submission of the priority document is also possible at a charge of USD 30 per application. However, there is no extension of time possible for submitting the Priority document.

No. A certified copy is sufficient.

No. Bar & night club services in class 43 are not applicable in the UAE.

Class 33 is not applicable according to the Law. However, class 32 for non-alcoholic drinks can be the alternative option.

No. Pork meat is not allowed to be registered

No. such services can be replaced by using the phrase “the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods (excluding the transport thereof), enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods namely …… (name of goods) ………

Yes, however, the applicant should submit evidence proving the relationship between this specific Geographical location and the origin of goods or applicant. Moreover, in most cases the Registrar will request a disclaimer to the GI if used separately and the protection will be granted to the mark as a whole.

Yes. United Arab Emirates is a union of seven Emirates and filing a trademark application will cover all these seven Emirates namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umu-Al-Quwain, Fujairah & Ras-Alkhaimah.

No.

Yes. as per the UAE Law, a concerned civil court shall, on a request from any interested party, may order the cancellation of Trademark registration if it is proven that the trademark has not been seriously used for five consecutive years unless the owner of the trademark proves that non-use was for reasons beyond his control such Import restrictions and other governmental procedures that are imposed of goods and services distinguished by the Trademark.

Yes. 10th Edition of Nice classification.

The details that are mentioned in the Power of attorney should conform to the details mentioned in the application.

Yes. A series of mark can be filed in UAE as a normal trademark at the same charges.

Not possible. A separate national application should be filed for each country.

Yes, It is possible provided that the Power of Attorney is signed by all applicants, notarized and legalized up to the UAE Consulate.

Yes.

Yes. Slogan can be filed and treated as a trademark.

No.

TM can only be used when the mark is under the process of registration after filing whereas ® can be used for registered marks and the final registration certificate is issued. No, the marking should not be included in the application.

10 years; subject for renewal upon expiry.

12 to 18 months.

Upon receiving the instructions, we can file the application (s) within a maximum of 48 hours. The examination by the Trademark Office might occur within 4 to 8 months depending on the backlog at the trademark office and upon receiving the notice of acceptance, we have 30 days to publish the application. Once published, the opposition period ends after thirty days. Finally, the application is ready to be registered and the registration certificate might take two to three months to be issued.

Yes. It can be registered provided that both marks are used together; otherwise, it is compulsory to file two separate applications.

Yes.

The following Intellectual works:

  • books, booklets and other written matters.
  • works given verbally as lectures, speeches and sermons.
  • dramatic plays and musical plays.
  • musical works whether accompanied by words or not.
  • the works of designing eurythmics and pantomime.
  • photography works.
  • cinema, television and broadcasting work, and creative audio-visual works, and computer programs.
  • works of applied arts whether handicraft or industrial.
  • works of drawing and painting with lines or colors, architecture, sculpture, decorative arts engraving, designs, geographical and topographical plans designs, and relief maps.
  • encyclopaedias, sundries and selections which form, in respect of selecting, arranging and editing their material, intellectual creative works.

Life of the author plus 50 years for inheritors.

Two weeks to one month.

Detention and monetary punishment (AED 10000 to 50000) or either one, seizure of the unauthorized publications, closing the infringing shops.

No provisions in the law.

Recommended.

Recommended.

None.

UAE Patent

No, filing a patent application in UAE will provide protection in seven emirates namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras-Al-khaimah, Umm-Al-Quwain and Ajman.

According to UAE Patent Law Article No. 6(1) No letters patent or utility certificate shall be issued for the following:

  • Plant varieties, animal species, or biological methods of producing plants or animals. Exceptions shall be allowed for the microbiological methods and their products.
  • Diagnostic methods, treatments, and surgical operations needed for humans and animals.
  • Scientific and Mathematical principles, discoveries and methods.
  • Guides, rules or methods followed to conduct business or perform mental activities or play games.
  • Invention that may lead to violation of the public order or morals.

Yes and the protection period is 10 years from the filing date of the application.

Yes, worldwide novelty is required.

No, unless it is combined with any hardware that does not operate without the software.

Yes.

No.

No, according to the requirement of patent law it is mandatory to submit the application in both English and Arabic languages.

  • Power of attorney from the applicant duly legalized from the UAE consulate
  • Deed of assignment from the applicant dully legalized from the UAE Consulate
  • Certificate of incorporation or extract from the applicant duly legalized from the UAE consulate
  • Certified copy of the priority document.

Certificate of Incorporation is an official document which attests the legal existence of the company issued by a competent authority in the applicant’s country or an extract from the commercial register.
Yes, it is possible to submit the Articles of Association for Universities and Government entities and the document should be duly legalized by the UAE consulate.

Yes, we can submit an assignment of the priority application as an alternative to the deed of assignment provided that the said document assigns inventor’s right worldwide. In case more than one priority is claimed for the corresponding UAE application then an assignment of each priority is required.

The supporting documents can be submitted while filing the application or within 90 days from the national filing date. No extension is allowed as per the law.

Non-submission of documents within the 90 days grace period will result in irrevocable lapse of the application.

No, according to the requirements of the UAE Patent Office documents should be legalized from the UAE consulate.However, if the documents are legalized from any other consulate further super legalization of the documents is required up to the UAE Consulate. Direct legalization is recommended for time and cost effects.

No, local attestation is not required for the supporting documents of the above mentioned applications.

The charges for legalization vary from country to country where the legalization is carried out.

No, certified copy of the priority document is required for application filed claiming any foreign priority for non PCT applications.

No.

Annuities are due on the anniversary of international filing date for PCT national phase application and on the anniversary of the national filing date for non PCT application (priority and non priority application)

No. They should be timely settled throughout the term of the patent in UAE starting from the next year of filing the application or from the PCT filing date.

Yes, Annuity should be paid within 6 months from the due date. First three months without surcharge and latter three months with surcharge.

Non-payment of annuity within the above mentioned grace period will result in irrevocable lapse of the application. No exceptions are allowed.

Yes, it is possible to pay the annual fees in advance for the entire term till the end of the protection period or in parts thereof.

No. The same has to be monitored by client’s agent or annuity service.

Official search from the Patent Office is not possible. However, we conduct searches from our internal database among published applications.

Yes, within 12 months from the date of first filing of the priority application.

Yes, within 30 months from the earliest priority date.

No and grace period is also not allowed after the expiry of the deadline.

Twenty (20) years starting from the UAE filing date, (in case of PCT, starting from the PCT filing date). The term of protection is non-extendable.

No. They are treated like any other patents of other fields.

No.

No.

Yes, accepted patents are published in the Industrial Property Journal.

Yes, but only valid and non valid status enquiry is possible.

No.

Yes, but before the application reaches examination stage.

Yes, within 3 years from the grant date.

Yes.

As per Article 24(1) of the UAE Patent Law, following conditions will result in compulsory licensing:

  • The non-working period of patent at least three years since the issuance of the letters patent has passed.
  • If appropriate efforts have been put up by the interested party to obtain the license at a reasonable price and under reasonable commercial conditions.
  • If the patentee is unable to meet the basic requirement of the masses.

GCC Patent

The GCC Patent Office does not offer search services; it is not possible to search among pending applications. Nevertheless, the granted patents are published in the Official Gazette, which can be searched.

Yes, i.e., with the English and Arabic texts of the specifications and claims. The other documents must be submitted within 90 days from the date of filing the application. NO TIME EXTENSION ALLOWED

Yes.

Yes.

20 years from the date of filing, with no extensions

No.

Utility Modes may be filed as a patent of invention, provided that the patentability criteria are complied with.

Software may be protected under the Copyright Law. An invention relating to and/or coupled with hardware may be filed as a patent application, provided that the patentability criteria are complied with.

Yes, provided that such amendments do not introduce any substantial change to the contents of the original application.

Yes. It must be paid within January 1st to March 31st of each year starting from the year following filing the application.

AIn both English and Arabic languages.

The invention must be sufficiently exploited in the GCC member states within three years from the date of grant. Working requirements are not satisfied by importation or by effecting nominal working.

If the patent is not being fully exploited by the patentee within three years from the date of grant, the Patent Office may grant a compulsory license to any person, provided that this latter proves his capability to exploit the invention fully.

No specific period is stipulated for recording the assignment.

Yes, it is possible to license a patent and record the same at the GCC Patent Office.

No, only the decision to grant a patent is published in the Patent Gazette.

Yes.

Drawings or photographs, (2 dimensional – 2 copies) (3 dimensional – 2 copies of each side) Maximum size (10 cm. X 20 cm.) each placed on an A4.

Absolute worldwide novelty is required.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

There is no provisions regarding secret filing in the UAE Law.

Not applicable.

No.

5 Years, Renewable twice consecutively.

Yes.

Yes.

No.

No designs nor patents are to be filed in secret form

Downloadable Forms & Regulations

Forms required by public authorities in certain matters and the Intellectual Property regulations used in United Arab Emirates.

Forms

Power of Attorney – General
Power of Attorney in Arabic – Local Clients
Power of Attorney-GCC-Patents
Deed of Assignment for UAE Trademarks
Deed of Assignment for Patents
Deed of Assignment for Designs
Deed of Assignment for UAE Patent – Utility Model
Domain Name Registration Request Letter
Domain Name Registration Application Form

Regulations

UAE Trademarks Law
UAE Patents & Industrial Designs
GCC Patent Law
UAE Copyrights Law
Commercial Companies Law 2015
JAFZA Rules & regulation

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