Branding is precious in today’s modest market. It is about what sets your business distinct and establishes confidence with your clients. Trademark registration itself is a very important and sometimes complicated process for some businesses in protecting this dynamic asset. It offers authorized appreciation, and defense, and differentiates your business in a jam-packed market. In the UAE, if you are a foreigner and looking to launch a startup or brand, it is very important to understand trademark registration to secure your brand’s individuality. In this article, we will see the Trademark Registration process, particularly for a Foreigner in UAE.
What are eligible to be registered as a trademark in the UAE?
A trademark is an exclusive sign to classify and differentiate an explicit brand. You can register an extensive series of items as a trademark in the UAE such as;
- Words
- Combinations of the above
- Three-dimensional shapes
- Symbols and logos
- Holographs
- Colors
- Sounds
The noteworthy factor is a trademark must be distinctive. It must not be similar to any existing symbols in the UAE. Also, it cannot interrupt any recent rules or regulations. To register a trademark in the UAE as a foreigner, it is also essential to categorize the goods or services consistent with the Global Classification of Goods and Services.
What are not eligible to be registered as a trademark in the UAE?
Some limitations must be kept in mind while registering trademarks in the UAE as a foreigner. If you wish to register a trademark in the UAE, you must stay compliant with the following protocols;
- Symbols such as for Red Cross and Red Arced
- Wrongdoings against public morals and religions
- Community symbols such as flags
- Names or labels of third parties
- Direct paraphrases of other well-known trademarks
It is also important to know that there may be more limitations to registering a trademark in the UAE. You can find out by communicating with the UAE’s Ministry of Economy.
What is the process to register a trademark in the UAE?
To register a foreign company’s trademark in the UAE, it is essential to adhere to the procedures. Here is the step-by-step process to complete trademark registration in the UAE successfully;
- Validate Trademark Accessibility and Eligibility
Before starting trademark registration in the UAE, you must verify the individuality of your chosen trademark and eligibility as per the standards of trademark registration for foreigners. it is recommended to get assistance from the established audit trademark services providers such as Far Consultant Middle East.
- Gather the essential documents
After checking eligibility and trademark accessibility, the next step is to gather all the essential documents such as;
- A clear picture of the trademark
- Power of attorney
- A copy of your identification card or passport
- Details of the trademark holder
- Priority Document
- A complete List of services and goods to be Protected
- Copy of Trade License
- Fill the Application Form
After gathering all the essential documents, go to the Ministry of Economy’s official website. Complete the required blanks on the online application form for trademark registration. Select the Services section and choose Trademark Registration which is located under New Applications. Provide all the information precisely and attach all the above-required documents.
- Payment Submission
After submitting the online application, the next step is to pay the necessary trademark registration fee. It may cost AED 10,500. You can pay the fees on the Ministry of Economy’s website.
- Evaluation of the Application
The next step is to evaluate your application. The Ministry of Economy will assess your application after online submission. It is important to ensure accuracy to avoid rejection due to misplaced or wrong information. It is highly recommended to review your application before submission.
- Approval by Ministry
After a successful assessment of your application, the Ministry of Economy will approve the application within a month.
- Publication Requirement
After successfully approved, publish your trademark declaration in the legal serial and 2 regional Arabic-language newspapers. Pay the fees of publication of about AED 750 to the Ministry of Economy in the journal. It is important to note that additional fees are essential for the local newspapers.
- Objection Period
During the publication phase, there will be 30 days for the public to raise opposition to your trademark in the case of copied trademark or other issues. If oppositions arise, the Ministry of Economy will evaluate and determine the conclusion.
- Trademark Certificate
If within 30 days there are no objections, the Ministry of Economy will issue a trademark registration certification to the foreign company. This document will comprise some significant details such as;
- The trademark itself
- The owner’s name
- The description of goods or services
Conclusion
Business is highly modest in the UAE. It is important to protect your brand, goods, and services. Far Consultant Middle East can help you to make complicated journeys easier.
