United Arab Emirates Trademarks

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.