Trademark
TM
Definition
Brand-identity registration that secures a logo or wordmark globally. Bundled with copyright protection inside the UAE intellectual-property service line.
Also known as
- ™
- trade mark
- TM
- trade-mark
- merchant mark
- Trademark
- ®
- علامة تجارية مسلجة
- علامة التجارية
- العلامات التجارية
- العلامه التجاريه
- العلامة التجارية
- علامه تجاريه
Attributes
| Type | Intellectual Property Registration |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United Arab Emirates |
| Applicable law | UAE Intellectual Property Law |
| Regulator | UAE Intellectual Property Office |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Governing authority | Ministry of Economy |
| Country | UAE |
What it is
A Trademark is a sign — word, logo, slogan, sound, or shape — that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. The UAE protects trademarks under Federal Law No. 36 of 2021 (replacing the 2015 GCC-aligned framework). Registration is via the UAE Ministry of Economy. The first-to-file principle applies — whoever registers first owns it, even against earlier informal use.
UAE trademark term: 10 years from filing, renewable indefinitely. Classifications follow the Nice Classification system; one application covers one class, additional classes filed separately.
Key characteristics
- Legal basis
- Federal Law No. 36 of 2021
- Authority
- UAE Ministry of Economy
- Term
- 10 years from filing, renewable
- Classification
- Nice Classification (1 application = 1 class)
- Principle
- First-to-file
How it works
The trademark registration process in the UAE typically involves the following steps: 1. Trademark Search: Conduct a search to ensure your desired trademark is available and does not infringe on existing trademarks. 2. Application Filing: File an application with the UAE IPO, providing details about the trademark, goods/services it will be used for, and the applicant's information. 3. Examination: The IPO examines the application to ensure it meets the requirements and does not conflict with existing trademarks. 4. Publication: If the application is approved, the trademark is published in the UAE Gazette for opposition by third parties. 5. Registration: If no opposition is filed, the trademark is registered, and you receive a certificate of registration. 6. Renewal: Trademarks require periodic renewal to maintain their registration.
Types of Trademark
| Type | Description | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Collective Mark | Used to identify goods or services of a group of businesses. | Applicable when a group of businesses use a common mark to identify their products or services. |
| Certification Mark | Indicates a certification or quality standard. | Used to denote a specific quality or standard related to goods or services. |
| Individual Mark | A brand name, logo, or other design used to identify a specific company or product. | The most common type of trademark, used by individual businesses. |
Examples
Many businesses in the UAE register trademarks to protect their brand names and logos. For example, a food and beverage company might register its brand name and logo to prevent competitors from using similar marks. A technology company might register its brand name to protect its intellectual property. Companies operating in free zones often register trademarks to ensure brand consistency across their operations.
Why it matters
First-to-file means a competitor or squatter can register your brand before you do. Filing the trademark in the UAE early — alongside or even before the first sale — is meaningfully cheaper than recovering it later.
Common misconceptions
Misconception
Trademark registration is only for large corporations.
Reality
Trademark registration is available to businesses of all sizes, from startups to established companies.
Misconception
Trademark registration is a guarantee against infringement.
Reality
While trademark registration provides legal protection, it is not a guarantee against all forms of infringement.
FAQs
- How much does a UAE trademark cost?
- Government fees per class are around AED 6,750 (filing AED 750 + publication AED 1,000 + registration AED 5,000). Add legal / agent fees of AED 2,000–5,000 per class. Multi-class brands (logo + word + product line) cost proportionally more. Renewal every 10 years at AED 5,000+ in fees.
See also
- Copyright
- Patent
- Trademark Registration(Best Solution service)
For better understanding, see also
Sources
External references
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