Governing Law
The UAE has a strong and structured legal system for the protection of intellectual property rights including trademarks. Let us examine the legal system in brief.
Federal Law No. 37 of 1992
This is the foundational law that regulates trademarks and defines trademarks. This law outlines rights and gives shape to enforcement, apart from deciding penalties.
Cabinet Resolution No. 13 of 2022
Embracing the digital platforms for completing trademark registration, this resolution enabled the digital filing of applications through the MOEC trademark portal. Transparency and speed are the outcomes of this resolution.
Madrid Protocol UAE
Being a member of the Madrid Protocol, UAE businesses with UAE trademark registration can register their trademarks internationally through a single application. It is beneficial for businesses planning global expansion.
Trademark Classes UAE (Nice Classification)
The UAE follows the Nice Classification UAE system to manage trademark registration. Under this classification, trademarks are categorised into 45 different classes, of which 34 are for goods and 11 for services.
An important aspect of trademark registration is the selection of the correct trademark classes in the UAE. Expert guidance from a trademark agent in the UAE is crucial for selecting the appropriate class or combination of classes.