An essential aspect of intellectual property, a trademark holds immense value. It serves as a unique identifier for businesses or legal entities to establish their products or services’ identity amongst their consumers. By distinguishing their products or services from others, a trademark plays a crucial role. It can take the form of a word, a name, a phrase, a logo, a design, a symbol, an image, or a combination thereof.

Why are trademarks important?

Trademarks offer safeguard to their proprietors by granting them the exclusive right to use it when identifying goods or services. Owners can authorize others to use their trademark for a fee. Trademarks can prove to be a powerful marketing tool for emerging businesses, aiding them in announcing their arrival in the market and building their reputation. Additionally, trademarks can increase a business’s visibility in the market and differentiate it from competitors. Registering a trademark also enables legal action against companies that use it without permission for trademark infringement.

Trademarks in the UAE:

To register your trademark in the UAE, it’s essential to register it in all seven states, namely Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain.

UAE Trademark Registration applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Trademark Journal as well as in two local daily Arabic newspapers and the clippings of the publications are to be submitted to the Trademark Office. Any interested party may file a notice of opposition to the registration of the mark within 30 days from the date of the publication. The Registrar’s decision concerning the opposition may be appealed to the Committee and the Committee’s decision to the competent court. In the absence of opposition, the trademark is registered, and the relative certificate of registration is issued.