Trademark Registration Service in United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, rights to a trademark are granted to the person or company that first uses it in the territory. Although registration is not strictly mandatory, in practice it is highly recommended, because registration:

• Establishes clear ownership of the mark.
• Helps prevent future conflicts regarding who owns the trademark.
• Greatly facilitates enforcement against infringement or misuse, since it is difficult and expensive to enforce an unregistered mark.

Trademark applications are filed with the trademark department of the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates IPOUAE.

The UAE is also a member state to the Madrid Protocol, so it is possible to extend an international registration to this country via the Madrid System.

In practice, you will choose the goods/services (up to 10 items per class before additional charges apply), and file a national application or designate the UAE via Madrid. If you register a combined trademark (word + logo), your exclusive right is limited to using the mark in the exact configuration in which it was filed and registered. If you want to use the word part separately from the logo (or vice versa), it is advisable to file an additional trademark covering only the elements you wish to protect separately.

For trademark search reports, the mark must be in Latin alphabet and only other trademarks in Latin alphabet will be considered. If you need a search for a mark written in Arabic (local writing system), including results in Arabic, you must contact us directly; additional fees will apply. The same applies if you want the figurative or design elements to be taken into account in a search report for the UAE.

To register a trademark in United Arab Emirates, you will generally need:

• Original Power of Attorney, signed, notarized, and legalized before the Consulate of the United Arab Emirates.
• The name or logo you want to register
• The applicant’s details

Your iGERENT consultant will confirm the exact requirements for your case and guide you through each step.

The average application process in the United Arab Emirates takes 3 months.

This is an estimated time for straightforward cases, based on current processing timeframes. The actual duration may vary considerably depending on the complexity of the application, any objections raised and whether oppositions are filed.

Once a trademark is registered in the UAE:

• It has a validity of 10 years from the application date.
• It can be renewed indefinitely for further periods of 10 years.
• The renewal can be requested as early as twelve (12) months before the expiration date.
• If the renewal is not filed before expiry, it can still be requested during a grace period of three (3) months after expiration, upon payment of a late renewal fee.

Maintaining the registration in force requires observing these deadlines and paying the corresponding renewal and late renewal fees when applicable.

Yes. If a third party intends to register or use a trademark for similar goods or services that includes a primary or distinct part of your trademark, you have the right to oppose the application based on confusing similarity.

Opposition actions may be filed by third parties within thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the official gazette.
The probability of success in an opposition will depend on the specific facts and evidence in each case.

It is not necessary for a trademark to be in use in the UAE in order to register it. However, after registration, the mark must not go unused for periods of five (5) years, otherwise it becomes vulnerable to cancellation actions based on lack of use.

Importantly, granting a license of use to another party may be considered as use of the trademark for these purposes. So, actual use by you or an authorized licensee can help preserve the registration.

No. We do not provide standalone address for service services in United Arab Emirates

When you instruct iGERENT to handle your trademark application in United Arab Emirates, the address for service requirement is automatically covered as part of our full service. We work with qualified local trademark attorneys who act as your official representative before the relevant Trademark Office, including compliance with all local representation and address for service requirements.

We do not offer address for service services separately for applicants who wish to file directly on their own in jurisdictions where self-filing may be technically permitted. Our services are designed to ensure that applications are properly filed, examined, and managed by experienced local professionals.

If you would like assistance with your trademark registration in United Arab Emirates or any other country, feel free to contact us here and we will be happy to guide you through the process. We offer services worldwide.

When comparing providers, check whether the quoted price covers the application, publication and final registration fees, and who will manage the filing if you are based outside the UAE. A foreign applicant must use a registered agent and provide a duly prepared power of attorney.

iGERENT gives you one dedicated specialist who coordinates the local agent and follows your application through examination, publication and the 30-day opposition period. More than 12,000 businesses have trusted us, and we have handled over 25,000 trademarks since 2014.

• Clear pricing: We explain what your filing quote includes and which fees may become payable later.
• Local coordination: We work with a registered UAE agent and help confirm the documents required for your case.
• Ongoing updates: We keep you informed beyond the initial filing and explain your options if an objection or opposition arises.

Read what other businesses say about working with iGERENT.