A trademark is a valuable form of intellectual property. Trademarks are distinctive indicators that all businesses or legal entities need in order to establish their products or services’ identity to its consumers. A trademark enables a company to distinguish its products or services from others. It may contain a word, a name, a phrase, a logo, a design, a symbol, an image or a combination these things.

Why are trademarks important?

Trademarks provide protection to the owner of the mark by ensuring the exclusive right to use it when identifying goods or services. The owner can also authorize another to use the trademark in return for payment. Trademarks can become a very effective marketing tool for new business owners who wish to announce their presence in the market and establish themselves as a reputable company. Moreover, trademarks can help you increase your exposure in the marketplace and set yourself apart from your competitors. If you have registered your trademark, you can sue another company for trademark infringement if they use it without authorized permission.

Trademarks in the UAE

When you register your trademark in the UAE, you should be registering it in all the seven states of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.

UAE Trademark Registration applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Trademark Journal as well as in two local daily Arabic newspapers and the clippings of the publications are to be submitted to the Trademark Office. Any interested party may file a notice of opposition to the registration of the mark within 30 days from the date of the publication. The Registrar’s decision concerning the opposition may be appealed to the Committee and the Committee’s decision to the competent court. In the absence of opposition, the trademark is registered, and the relative certificate of registration is issued.