Filing Requirements:
1. Power of attorney, legalized. A general power may be used for subsequent filings.
2. 20 prints of the mark for each application.
3. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.
* Item 2 must be submitted at the time of filing.
* Document 1 may be submitted within 60 days from filing date, extendable for an extra 30 days.
* Document 3 may be submitted within 3 months from filing date.
Classification:
The International Classification of Goods and Services (9th Edition) is followed. However, class 33 and alcoholic goods in class 32 can not be registered in the United Arab Emirates. A separate application is required for each class.
Opposition:
Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Trademark Bulletin and two local newspapers. Oppositions may be filed within 30 days from last publication date.
Extension Of Time:
Extension of time for responding to office actions relating to preliminary examination is possible.
Protection Term:
Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of 3 months for late renewals with payment of a surcharge.
Documents Required For Renewal:
- Power of attorney, legalized.
Use Requirements:
Use of a trademark is not required for registration or renewal of a mark. However, a trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of a mark for a period of 5 consecutive years after registration.
Search:
An official search may be conducted for word marks only. It takes approximately 2 to 3 working days for the results to be available. A separate application is required for search in each class. The search report discloses similar and identical trademark applications as well as registrations.
Assignment:
* Registered trademarks may be assigned with or without the goodwill of the business concerned.
* Documents required:
- Power of attorney from the assignee, legalized.
- Deed of assignment, legalized, with English translation and copy of registration certificate of the mark(s).
Change Of Name/Address:
* A change of name/address may be recorded for trademark registrations only.
* Documents required:
- Power of attorney, legalized.
- Certificate of change of name/address, legalized.
Licensing:
* License recordal is not compulsory but advisable in order to be effective against third parties.
* Documents required:
- Power of attorney, legalized.
- License agreement, legalized.
Merger:
* A merger may be recorded for trademark registrations only.
* Documents required:
- Power of attorney, legalized.
- Certificate of merger, legalized.
Marking:
Marking is not compulsory.
Cancellation:
A trademark may be subject to cancellation by any interested party within 5 years from registration date.
Registration Time Frame:
The time frame for completing the registration process is 9 to 12 months.
Three Dimensional Trademark Applications:
Admissible.