IP in the United Arab Emirates

Having an Australian trade mark, patent, design right or plant breeder’s right (PBR) doesn't automatically secure protection in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Here's how you can protect your IP in the UAE. 

If you’re considering applying for an IP right overseas, we recommend engaging an IP attorney. They can help you understand the country’s eligibility requirements and fees, lodge applications, and manage your IP rights once they're protected. In some countries, local laws may require you to work with an IP professional.

Find an IP professional who can represent you in your target country or region by visiting Get professional assistance with your IP.

What types of IP can you register?

In the UAE, you can protect your IP with a trade mark, patent, design right or PBR.

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a trade mark in the UAE and if your trade mark is eligible for protection

  2. Consider whether you should apply for a trade mark in Australia first

  3. Know the cost of applying for a trade mark in the UAE and through the Madrid System

  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your trade mark hasn't already been protected in the UAE. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

There are 2 ways to apply for a trade mark in the UAE:

  1. Through the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism

  2. Through the Madrid System.

Apply via the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism

Apply via the Madrid System

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a patent in the UAE and if your idea is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should apply for a patent in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of applying for a patent in the UAE
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your patent hasn't already been published. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

There are 2 ways to apply for a patent in the UAE:

  1. Through a direct filing to the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism. 
  •  If you have a provisional application, you'll need to file within 12 months to secure that priority date.

2. Through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system.

  • If you have an international application, you can apply to the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism and convert your international application into a UAE patent application. This is called 'entering the national phase'.

Apply via the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism

Apply via the PCT system

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a design right in the UAE and if your design is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should file your design right application in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of registering a design right in the UAE
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your design hasn't been published. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

To register a design right in the UAE, apply directly to the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism.

Apply via the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a PBR in the UAE and if your plant variety is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should apply for a PBR in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of registering a PBR in the UAE
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your PBR hasn't already been protected in the UAE. An IP professional can help you with this.

How to apply

To register a PBR in the UAE, apply directly to the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment.

Apply via the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

What other IP can you register?

The UAE also administers IP rights for copyright, integrated circuit layouts, geographical indications and utility models.

Copyright

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism is responsible for registering copyright.

Integrated circuit layouts

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism administers the registration of integrated circuit layouts.

Geographical indications

The UAE provides protection for geographical indications recognising them as a form of trade mark.

Utility models

A utility model is a patent-like intellectual property right to protect inventions. The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism is responsible for registering utility models.

What can be protected without registration?

Trade secrets

As in most parts of the world, there's no formal application or registration process for trade secrets in the UAE.

Further guidance

  • To find out about the UAE’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) membership, check out the UAE's WIPO member page.
  • If you're considering exporting to the UAE, the Export Council of Australia provides information on licensing, clearances and access to finance and trade agreements.
  • For information about the UAE's export market and economy, you can check the Austrade and DFAT UAE profiles.
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