UAE Opens Class 33 for Trademark Filings
Brand owners can now seek national trademark protection in the UAE for alcoholic beverages following the opening of Class 33, which was previously unavailable for filing.
The trademark landscape in the United Arab Emirates has seen an important development with Class 33 now available for trademark filings through the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET) portal.
Class 33 covers alcoholic beverages, except beers, as well as alcoholic preparations for making beverages. Until now, the class had been restricted for trademark filings in the UAE. Its availability therefore creates a new opportunity for brand owners to seek national trademark protection for relevant goods in the country.
For businesses with established international portfolios, as well as those currently operating in or considering entering the UAE market, this is an important time to assess existing trademark protection and determine whether additional filings should be considered.
What does the opening of Class 33 mean for brand owners?
Brand owners with alcoholic beverage trademarks protected in other jurisdictions may previously have had a gap in their UAE trademark portfolios because Class 33 was unavailable for filing.
With applications now being accepted, businesses have an opportunity to review those portfolios and consider extending protection to the UAE.
This may be particularly relevant for international and regional brand owners with existing Class 33 registrations elsewhere, businesses with current interests in the UAE, and companies planning future launches or expansion into the market.
Why should portfolios be reviewed now?
The opening of a previously unavailable class creates a new filing opportunity for both existing and prospective market participants.
Brand owners should therefore consider reviewing their portfolios at an early stage to identify relevant brands and products for which UAE protection may now be appropriate.
As part of this review, businesses should consider whether they have Class 33 trademarks registered in other markets but not in the UAE, whether their current or planned UAE activities involve goods falling within Class 33, and whether there are gaps in their existing UAE trademark protection.
Where relevant, early filing should be considered now that applications in the class can be submitted.
Preparing a Class 33 filing strategy
Before proceeding with an application, brand owners should consider the scope of protection required and the appropriate specification for their relevant goods.
Clearance searches can also assist in assessing potentially conflicting rights before filing. For businesses managing portfolios across multiple jurisdictions, the UAE filing should be considered within the context of the wider trademark portfolio and the brand’s current or anticipated commercial activities.
The appropriate strategy will depend on the particular brand, products and existing portfolio.
How UTMPS can assist
United Trademark & Patent Services (UTMPS) can assist brand owners in assessing the implications of this development for their UAE trademark portfolios.
Our team can review existing portfolios to identify Class 33 protection gaps, conduct clearance searches, advise on appropriate specifications and filing strategies, and handle new applications through to registration.
We can also monitor potentially conflicting third-party applications and advise on enforcement where required.
Brand owners with relevant trademarks or products in Class 33 are encouraged to review their UAE protection and consider whether new filings should form part of their trademark strategy.
For further information or assistance with Class 33 trademark filings in the UAE, contact the UTMPS team.
