If you are starting a business in the UAE, one of the most essential things to do is to protect your brand. Trademark Registration in the UAE grants you exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo and much more, thus protecting you from copycats in the market. Let’s learn the stepwise process to register a trademark in the UAE.
Stepwise Process to Register a Trademark in the UAE
Step 1. Conduct a Trademark Search
The first step is to conduct a trademark search through the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) to check that your desired trademark isn’t already registered by someone else.
Step 2. Submit the Application
Once you are confirmed of availability, you can submit your trademark registration application with all the necessary documents to the Ministry of Economy’s official website. You will also need to provide the following for your trademark registration application:
- Applicant details (company or individual)
- Trademark logo/design
- Business activity description
- Passport copy (for individuals) or trade license (for companies)
- Power of Attorney (if applying through a legal representative)
Step 3: Pay the Fees
After submitting your application, you can pay the required fee. The government fees typically range between AED 8,000 and AED 10,000, including publication fees.
Step 4: Trademark Review & Examination
The Ministry of Economy will then review your application to check if there are any conflicts with existing trademarks. This review process can take up to 90 days. However, if you face any objections, you will need to submit additional documents or make modifications.
Step 5: Trademark Publication
Once approved, your trademark will be published in two local Arabic newspapers and the official gazette. If no one opposes the registration within 30 days, the trademark registration process moves forward.
Step 6: Trademark Certificate Issued
After the waiting period is over with no objections, you will receive your trademark registration certificate, granting you exclusive rights for 10 years, with an option for trademark renewal.
Why have Trademark Registration in UAE?
If you’re setting up a business in the UAE, trademark registration should be part of your business strategy. Protecting your brand from the beginning ensures that your company operates without legal disputes and maintains a strong market presence. Furthermore, once you have trademark registration, you have the legal right to take action against infringers. In case someone tries to copy or misuse your brand name or logo, you can file a complaint with the UAE authorities and take the assistance of legal remedies.
Document Requirement for Trademark Registration in UAE
- Trademark Logo/Design (in high resolution)
- Trademark Application Form (submitted via UAE Ministry of Economy)
- Trade License Copy (for businesses)
- Passport Copy (for individuals)
- Emirates ID Copy (for UAE residents)
- Power of Attorney (PoA) (if applying through a legal representative)
- Priority Document (if claiming priority based on a foreign application)
- Signed Undertaking (confirming no prior similar trademarks exist)
- List of Goods/Services (to specify trademark classification)
- Trademark Search Report (recommended but not mandatory)
Moreover, If you want any other guidance relating to business setup in UAE, please feel free to talk to our business advisors at 8881-069-069.
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