With a booming business landscape, the UAE attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world. When starting a business in the Emirates, there are some legal guidelines to follow. Among these, an overlooked process is trademark registration in the UAE.
By registering a trademark, you are protecting your business or intellectual property rights. The best part is with the Ministry of Economy’s e-services, the process is quite simple. From steps to documents, we have covered it all. Let’s begin!
- Understanding Trademarks
- Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Trademark Registration in UAE
- Trademark Registration Companies
- Benefits of Trademark Registration in UAE
- FAQs
Understanding Trademarks
Whether you are a company owner or an individual entrepreneur, starting a business requires legal compliance. Among the many legalities, one important one is registering a trademark. Now, what is a trademark?
Trademarks have been registered under Federal Decree Law No. (36) of 2021. As per Article 2 of the decree, a trademark is anything that has a unique form. This could be names and figures colours and hologram marks that are not unique to an organisation.
Restrictions on Trademark Registration UAE
Deciding on the identity of your brand? Consider this list of objects that cannot be registered as a trademark as per Article 3:
- Marks without unique features and simply the names or images of the service or commodity.
- Anything that is against public morals.
- Exact copies or imitations of public objects such as logos, flags, banknotes, coins and more.
- Red crescent or red cross symbols.
- Religious symbols.
- Geographical objects.
- Any third-party details such as name or logo.
- Honours or scientific degrees with no proof of legal entitlement.
- Misleading information in trademarks.
- Legal or natural persons’ marks.
- Trademarks similar to already registered ones.
- Trademarks that would undermine the value of already registered trademarks.
- Any trademark made of copied material or translation.
- Use of words such as ‘franchise, registered, or copyright.’
Eligibility to Register a Trademark
As per Article 6, ‘any natural or legal person shall be entitled to have the trademark thereof registered.’
This means both UAE nationals and foreigners are eligible to have their brands legally recognised within the Emirates.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Trademark Registration in UAE
Registering a trademark is an easy process with the Ministry of Economy’s e-service. The process, however, requires following some guidelines to avoid request rejection. Here we have outlined everything in detail to give you a complete overview of the process. Let’s begin!
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Restriction Guidelines
Before proceeding with the documentation, the first step is to review the laws. Check eligibility and restriction guidelines for choosing trademarks. Based on these, finalise a unique brand identity for your business.
Step 2: Select a Trademark Class
There are 45 classes under which a business can register its trademark. Classes 1 to 34 are product classes whereas Classes 35 to 45 are service classes. Choosing the right class(es) is crucial for a smooth approval process. Here is the list of some most common classes:
- Vehicles
- Bleaches
- Machines
- Building materials
- Furniture
- Household or kitchen utensils
- Yarns and threads
- Textile goods
- Clothing, footwear and headgear
- Carpets
- Games
- Meat
- Coffee, tea and cocoa
- Grains
Step 3: Trademark Inquiry
Let’s suppose a person chooses a business symbol and applies for registration. But get rejected after 2 to 3 months due to duplication. Trade inquiry beforehand saves time and money spent in this process by reducing the chances of rejections. Here is how to inquire about trademark similarity:
- Gather documents such as trade licence and power of attorney (for those applying via a legally, authorised agent).
- Log in to the Ministry of Economy (MOEC) official website.
- Submit an online application and pay a fee of AED 350.
- Wait for the Ministry’s review and receive a response within 24 hours.
Step 4: Gather Important Documents
Before starting with the online application, make sure to have all documents ready. This helps complete the application in one go. Here is a list of must-have documents:
- Power of attorney (only required if a legal agent is applying on your behalf).
- Copy of passport of the applicant(s).
- Applicant(s) contact details.
- Trademark design sample.
- Goods and services list that need protection.
- Copy of trade licence (only for corporate businesses, not individual entrepreneurs).
Here is how you can obtain a trade licence in Dubai.
Step 5: Complete the Online Registration Form
Whether you are living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, MOCE is the official authority regulating trademark registrations in all emirates. Follow the below process to apply without facing any issues:
- Go to the official website of the ‘Ministry of Economy’.
- Sign up and then log in using the ‘UAE Pass’ or ‘Registered Username and Password’.
- Under the ‘Services’ list, click on ‘Register Trademark’.
- Complete the application form by carefully providing all the details.
- Attach the required documents.
- Pay a fee of ‘AED 750’ online.
Step 6: Wait for the Ministry’s Decision
After submission, MOCE will forward the application to the relevant department. Once reviewed, the decision will be communicated within 90 days to the applicant.
Step 7: Pay the Publication Fees
- The next step is to pay a fee of AED 750. MOCE charges these fees to publish the trademark in the official bulletin to let people know about it.
- Applicants must pay the fees within 30 days. Otherwise, the Ministry will impose AED 100 fine per month with a maximum of AED 1000 annually.
- After payment clearance, the Ministry publishes the marks in the ‘Official Trademark Bulletin’.
- An objection period of 30 days is initiated where people can raise objections on similar trademarks or forged ones. There is always a chance of similarity in one way or another. Therefore, the Ministry ensures everything beforehand.
- Upon completion of this period, the applicant has to pay a registration fee of AED 5000. If an applicant fails to pay fees within 30 days, the Ministry will impose an AED 1000 fine per month with a maximum of AED 10,000 annually.
Step 8: All Set to Receive the UAE Trademark Registration Certificate
After the completion of the objection period and fee payment, the Ministry will issue a trademark certificate within 30 days. A trademark registration certificate highlights the following:
- Trademark registration number.
- Owner of trademark.
- Class(es) under which trademark is registered.
- Trade name and trademark.
- Goods or services details.
Note: This service is also available on the Ministry of Economy’s mobile application.
Total Required Fees
The combined application fee is AED 6850. Here is the breakdown of the fee:
- Inquiry Fee: AED 350
- Application submission fee: AED 750
- Publication fee: AED 750
- Final registration fee: AED 5000
Please note that this fee is exclusive of legal agent charges (if applicable).
Other Details
- Service delivery duration (on average): 90 days
- Trademark department – MOCE Contact Details:
- Contact number: +971 8 00 1222
- Email: info@economy.ae
Trademark Registration Companies
The Emirates has multiple companies offering A-Z trademark registration services, from guidance to application. If you do not want to navigate the complexities, here are three companies to consider:
1. Al Raqeem Intellectual Property
With 1000+ successful cases, Al Raqeem is a leading service provider in the GCC region. The company runs on three principles: ‘professionalism, sincerity and responsibility.’ The best part about hiring them is they will handle the complete trademark registration process while you relax.
With its main head office in Dubai, the company provides services to every part of the UAE.
Services
- Trademark name search
- Trademark registration and renewal
- Trademark watch
- Brand registry
- International trademark registration
- Patent registration
- Professional translation services
Location
- Suite 404, Saeed Tower 2, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE.
Opening Hours
- 09:00 am to 06:00 pm (Monday to Saturday)
Contact Information
- +971 4 321 3314
2. Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP)
Do you want to avail trademark services on a budget? Here comes JIP, your ultimate support in all aspects of property registration and trademarks, copyright, and more. This company doesn’t only offer services for trademark registration in UAE but around the globe as well.
The best part? Take their free consultation to be sure before hiring them.
Services
- Trademark registration UAE
- Trademark litigation and enforcement
- Copyright and patent
Location
- Office #3006, 30th Floor, Al Attar Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours
- 08:30 am to 06:00 pm (Monday to Friday)
Contact Information
- +971 4 343 8022
3. KGRN Chartered Accountants
With a track record of working with Fortune 500 companies and SMEs, KGRN delivers value to its clients. From consultation to service completion, the company ensures timely communication, high-quality service and tailored solutions.
Services
- Complete business setup including trademark registration
- Audit services
- Payroll services
Location
- Office M#1, Building Number 1, Al Nahyan Camp, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- 805, Oxford Towers, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
- Phase 1, Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, UAE
Opening Hours
- 09:00 am to 06:00 pm (Monday to Saturday)
Contact Information
- +971 4 557 0204
Benefits of Trademark Registration in UAE
As per the UAE laws, trademark registration is not a legal requirement. Then why is it an integral part of business setup? Here are the three pros to consider:
Legal Protection
Registering a trademark gives your brand legal protection. Let’s understand this by an example. Consider a person who spent days jotting ideas and creating brand elements, but they get copied the next day of launch.
If a business has a registered trademark, the individual can take action against infringement. Moreover, such businesses can also use the ‘Registered’ or ® symbol with their trademark.
Branding
Trademarks play a vital role in associating a name or a logo with a brand. This builds trust and loyalty and, in turn, helps a business grow.
Global Expansion
Think about the most famous logo you remember and why it appeals to you. Or consider a household name. Do you know why these businesses are always on top of the mind? Because they run by one marketing strategy, ‘Top of the Mind to Tip of the Tongue’.
Famous brands like these can easily tap into global markets to expand their reach.
FAQs
The validity for a registered trademark is 10 years in the UAE after which it must be renewed.
No, it is not a legal requirement. However, those who register receive legal protection for their business within the UAE.
Both services are available at the Ministry of Economy’s official website. Renewal is necessary after every 10 years. On the other hand, cancellation is for those who no longer want to be associated with a certain trademark. Here are the fees charged for both services:
– Renewal Fees
– AED 6500: Within 10 year period
– AED 7250: Within 6 months after completion of 10 years
– Cancellation Fees: AED 1100
With our step-by-step process, applying for trademark registration in the UAE has become convenient. Moreover, legal professionals are always here to help. Register your trademark and be free from the worries of brand infringements!
For more laws and regulations in UAE, stay tuned to Property Finder blogs!
