Trademark Registration Process in UAE

Importance of trademark registration

Below are some of the reasons why trademark registration in the UAE is highly beneficial for businesses:

• It protects your brand name from any form of claim and imitation of your trademark
• It gives both existing and potential clients confidence that your business is legit and reliable
• It distinguishes your trade image from others thereby giving it an official recognition
• It gives businesses the legal right to sue anyone claiming or using their business name without the owner's consent

It’s important to remember that if your trademark is used in different countries, you need to register it in each country separately. The trademark law of each country works only within the borders of that state.

UAE trademark requirements

Below are the factors that should be considered while choosing a trademark for UAE market:

• Your trademark should be exclusively differentiated
• It shouldn’t showcase any public sign or flag
• Names of third parties shouldn’t be added
• It shouldn't sound offensive
• It shouldn’t display any religious signs
• The statement must be true

A trademark is a set of distinctive features of your brand that make it unique. It usually includes:

• Brand name
• Symbol
• Fonts
• Pictures
• Symbols and graphics
• Packaging
• Slogans
• Titles
• Music jingles

The registered trademark contains information like:

• Your name
• Trade name
• Trade number
• List of product and services involved in the trade
• And the trademark itself

• Procedures for the registration of a trademark in UAE

To get your trademark registered in the UAE, follow these steps:

1. Do trademark search

Access the trademark section through the Ministry of Economy’s official online services portal and use the Trademark Search/Inquiry function or work through a licensed trademark agent to run an official clearance search. The structure and naming of e-services may change, so always follow the current menu on the ministry’s website. Avoid using any free online search tools, because UAE does not disclose its full database in open sources.

Go to the Ministry of Economy website and click “eServices”. Then it takes you to a page where you should click on “TradeMarks” as one of the options.

There, you will see an E-services dropdown menu where you have to choose “Trademarks Inquiry”.

Create a request and wait for the feedback from the government. When the clearance is received, you can apply for trademark registration.

2.  Apply for trademark registration

Next to “Trademark Registration” click on the plus button for a new application.

It takes you to a page where you will have to login, after that fill out a form and upload the required documents:

• Commercial license
• Passport copy of the applicant
• Applicant’s contact details
• Design sample
• List of goods and services to be included into trademark

3. Make filing payment

The typical application fee is approximately AED 750 per class. In case of rejection of your application, it is not refundable.

4. Wait for the acceptance of the trademark

When you have submitted all the required documents, you wait for a maximum of 30 days to get feedback. The review typically takes up to 30 days, but timelines may vary depending on the backlog and whether the ministry raises any objections or formalities. During the 30 days, the authority in charge of issuing the trademark certificate will review your application and confirm the validity of all the information you included.

If the trademark is accepted, you will be required to pay an amount of 1,500 AED to proceed for the newspaper announcements.

If the trademark is accepted, you will be required to proceed for the newspaper announcements and pay the required publication fees.

5. Newspaper announcement

The announcement about your trade mark registration will be made in 2 local Arabic newspapers and in 1 official gazette.The publication fee is approximately AED 750. After a period of 30 days if there is no objection to the chosen trademark, you make the trademark registration payment.

6. Make registration payment

This is the final amount of 5,000 AED which is paid before the trademark registration certificate is issued.

7. Receive Certificate of trademark registration.

How to make payment for trademark registration

Payment for trademark registration can be made online via the Ministry of Economy’s payment gateway using UAE-approved electronic payment methods (such as bank cards or digital wallets available on the portal). Specific payment channels and accepted cards may change over time, so follow the options shown at the checkout stage of your application.

Previously, the E-dirham card system was required, but it has been largely replaced by these modern payment channels.

Once you got it, follow these steps for your trademark registration payment:

1. Proceed to the Ministry of Economy official website.
2. Click on “eServices”.
3. It takes you to a page where you choose “TradeMarks” among the list of options.
4. Click on “Pay Registration Fees For Trademark”, but if you are making payment for the publishing of a journal and newspapers click on “Pay Publishing Fees For Trademark Registration”.
5. Fill in the required spaces and make payment.

UAE trademark registration costs

*Fees are indicative and subject to change by the Ministry of Economy. Check the latest schedule before filing.

Validity of trademark in UAE

UAE trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods.

Documents needed to for a trademark registration

In order to register a trademark in UAE, you need the following:

• Passport copy
• A copy of your trade license
• List of products and services to be registered
• Your trademark logo, symbol or name
• Power of attorney for the registrator (if you appoint one)

How to renew trademark registration in UAE

UAE trademarks are valid for 10 years from the moment of registration. Once expired, the trademark needs to be renewed.

The steps above should also be taken while renewing the UAE trademark registration. Under “TradeMarks”, look out for “Modification & Maintenance Service”.

Open a drop down menu and you will see the “Trademark Renewal” option.

There is usually a 3-month grace period after expiry during which you can still renew the trademark, but an additional late renewal fine applies. The exact late fee is set by the Ministry of Economy and may be updated from time to time. In case you fail to renew your trademark after 3 months from the date your registration expired, it will be cancelled by the government.

UAE trademark renewal costs

Trademark renewal in the UAE is faster than the registration. It takes about 2-3 weeks.

Who can apply to register a trademark?

UAE trademarks can be registered by:

• UAE individuals and companies with a valid trade licence
• Foreign companies, acting through a registered UAE trademark agent and a notarised/certified power of attorney
• Other entities allowed under the UAE Trademark Law (such as public legal entities and professional establishments).

While residents can file directly, foreign applicants are required to use a local trademark agent.

How can we help you with UAE trademark registration:

• Make sure your trademark does not get rejected
• Carry out communication with the Ministry of Economy
• Speed up the trademark registration process
• You will not waste money because you will pay only government fees