Established in the UAE in 1993, United Trademark & Patent Services is one of the largest and most established intellectual property firms in the country, with 40 professionals on the ground. From the UAE, we operate as a regional hub for the Middle East and Africa, coordinating complex, multi-jurisdictional IP portfolios for global and regional clients.
UTMPS Presence in the UAE
UTMPS has maintained a continuous presence in the United Arab Emirates for over three decades. Since entering the market in 1993, we have grown as one of the top IP filers in the UAE and the region.
Today, UTMPS operates through two offices in the UAE: Dubai and Sharjah, with Dubai serving as the firm’s regional hub. From here, we provide strategic direction, portfolio management, and enforcement oversight across the Middle East and Africa, working seamlessly with our offices and trusted network throughout the region.
With 40+ IP professionals based in the UAE, we offer clients both scale and depth no other IP firm offers.
Key IP Services in the UAE
We provide a full range of intellectual property services in the UAE and MENA region, including:
- IP prosecution and advisory services in patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, and trade secrets
- Patent and trademark portfolio management across the Middle East and Africa
- Oppositions, cancellations, and validity actions
- Enforcement and anti-counterfeiting, including online and digital infringement
- Freedom-to-operate, licensing, and IP due diligence
- Data protection, marketing, and advertising compliance
UAE IP System Overview
The United Arab Emirates offers a modern, evolving intellectual property framework that is closely aligned with international standards and best practices. It is a key jurisdiction for rights holders seeking protection, enforcement, and commercialization of IP in the Middle East.
This section provides a high-level overview of jurisdiction-specific IP protection requirements and is not intended to be comprehensive. For advice on your specific matter, please contact our IP experts.
- Protection term: 10 years, renewable indefinitely
- Member of the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol
- Filing system: Single-class
- Classification: Nice Classification
- Registrable marks include traditional and non-traditional marks such as 3D, sound, scent, colour, and hologram marks
- Opposition period: 30 days from publication
Marks are vulnerable to cancellation if not used for five consecutive years
- Member of the Paris Convention and PCT
- Protection term: 20 years from filing
- Priority claim: within 12 months from the first filing
- Annual annuities payable from the filing date
- Protection term: 10 years
- Priority claim: within 6 months from first filing
- Opposition period: 60 days from publication
- Annual maintenance fees apply
- The UAE is not a member of the Hague System
- Protection term: life of the author + 50 years
- For corporate works: 50 years from publication
- Covers literary, artistic, scientific works, software, and digital content
- Registration is optional but strongly recommended for enforcement and commercial use
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- The UAE provides PVR protection through a sui generis (unique) legal system, governed by UAE Federal Law No. 17 of 2009.
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- The UAE is not a member of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
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- Protection criteria include examination to confirm novelty, distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability (NDUS/DUS-style requirements)
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- Protection Term:
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- 20 years for agricultural products
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- 25 years for trees and vines
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- Temporary protection is available between publication of the application and the grant decision
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- Protection Term:
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- Priority Right: Breeders who have filed in a UPOV-member country can claim a 12-month priority right for their UAE application
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- Filing Requirements:
PVR applications are submitted via the digital portal of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment ( MOCCAE). The application may include:
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- Application Form: Electronic submission detailing the breeder and variety.
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- Technical Statements: Data proving the variety is New, Distinct, Uniform, and Stable (DUS).
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- Safety Confirmations: Declarations that the variety is non-GMO and safe for the environment.
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- Legal documents such as the Power of Attorney (POA), deed of Assignment, trade license
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- Arabic Translations: Certified translations for all non-Arabic documents.
Dubai
Suite 401-402, Al Hawai Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah
Suite 203, Al Buhairah Building, Buhairah Corniche,
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
Global Reach
With a presence across 20+ jurisdictions spanning the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, UTMPS delivers comprehensive IP solutions tailored to local requirements.
Outside our footprint, we coordinate matters through a carefully vetted network of trusted IP associates worldwide.
