Trademark Registration
Registering a trademark in the UAE
Trademarks in the UAE are examined and registered by the Ministry of Economy. Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks governs the process across all seven emirates, so a single federal registration covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest.
The UAE joined the Madrid Protocol in 2021, so you can designate it from an existing international registration instead of filing directly.
How the process runs
- Clearance search. Check the register for identical and confusingly similar marks in your classes before you spend anything on filing.
- Classification. Pick the Nice classes that match what you actually sell. Too narrow leaves gaps; too broad wastes fees and invites opposition.
- Filing. The application goes to the Ministry of Economy with the mark, the owner details, and the specification of goods and services.
- Examination. The office reviews the mark on absolute grounds and, in most cases, against earlier rights.
- Publication and opposition. Accepted marks are published, opening a window for third parties to oppose.
- Registration. If no opposition succeeds, the certificate issues and the mark is enforceable.
The UAE is a first-to-file jurisdiction. Rights follow the application date, not how long you have traded under the mark.
What IGBS handles
We act as your filing agent in the UAE: clearance searching, classification, preparing and submitting the application, responding to examiner objections, and managing opposition or renewal when it arises. You do not deal with the office directly, and you get one case manager for the whole file.
We have filed and defended trademarks since 2010 for clients across Egypt, the Gulf and beyond — including international IP agencies who use us as their local partner.
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Costs, timelines and the required documents differ by case. For the detail, read the full UAE trademark guide, or see why a clearance search comes first.