Most company executives often focus on setting up businesses in new jurisdictions, expanding an existing business or improving the quality of their goods or services. However, they often overlook the critical need to protect their valuable trademarks in the enthusiasm of increasing profitability of the company. Achieving immediate business goals is crucial, but it is also equally important to consider how one can protect the company’s trademark or even whether or not the trademark infringes the rights of others before registering the new corporation. The same holds true if you plan to do business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or if you are already conducting business there.

The Government of the UAE has taken commendable steps to put in place robust trademark laws. The current approach to the protection of trademarks and the mechanisms through which this protection is carried out in the UAE are very similar to those used in Western jurisdictions and will be familiar to many business managers already acquainted with intellectual property issues. Trademarks in the UAE are well protected by Federal Trademark Law No. 37 of 1992 (amended by Federal Law No. 8 of 2002) (“Trademark Law”). The Trademark Law contains a range of provisions outlining the procedural steps required to register a trademark and the penalties for breach. This article discusses some of the pertinent steps to guard one’s trademark in the UAE and how to deal with any potential infringements.

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