The short answer
A UAE trademark gives 10 years of protection counted from the filing date, and the certificate states the expiry date. Renewal is made through the Ministry of Economy within a time limit set by the Implementing Regulation, and if that limit passes the mark is treated as cancelled from the expiry date. Anyone can oppose within 30 days of publication, and a mark that has not been used for 5 consecutive years can be cancelled. The law applies in all seven Emirates.
Trademark deadlines in the UAE at a glance
These periods come from Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks, English text published through the Ministry of Economy. The law leaves some time limits, such as the renewal window and the fees, to the Implementing Regulation, so we check that regulation before we file or renew.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does protection last? | 10 years, renewable for similar periods (Article 21(1)). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date. Protection runs for 10 years starting from the date of filing the application, and registration takes effect from that date (Articles 17(1) and 21(1)). |
| When can I renew? | Within the time limit set by the Implementing Regulation (Article 22(1)). We diarise it from the expiry date on your certificate. |
| What if I miss renewal? | If that time limit passes without a renewal application, the mark is considered cancelled from the Register as of the date the protection period expired (Article 22(2)). |
| Is the renewal examined? | No. It is renewed without further examination and published in the Ministry's Bulletin (Article 21(2)). |
| Opposition period | 30 days from the date of publication in the Ministry's Bulletin, by any interested party (Article 15(2)). |
| Reply to the Ministry's restrictions or amendments | 30 days from notification. If you do not reply, the application is deemed waived (Article 12(2)). |
| How fast does the Ministry decide? | Within 90 days from filing, if the conditions are met (Article 12(3)). |
| Complaint against a refusal | Grievance to the Grievances Committee within 30 days of notification, then an appeal to the Competent Court within 30 days of that decision (Article 13). |
| Priority claim | Allowed on an earlier application in a Paris Convention state or other qualifying agreement. Attach a copy and the statement of the earlier date and country, or the right is lost (Article 11). |
| Non-use cancellation | An interested party can ask to cancel a mark not used for 5 consecutive years, unless emergency circumstances prevented use (Article 24(3)). |
| Assignment | Not enforceable against third parties unless entered in the Register and announced (Article 28(3)). |
Who can register a trademark in the UAE
Any natural or legal person has the right to register a trademark under the Decree-Law (Article 6). Applications are filed with the Ministry of Economy under the conditions and procedures in the Implementing Regulation (Article 7).
Check the representation rules. The Decree-Law does not itself spell out who must represent a foreign owner. The Implementing Regulation and Ministry practice govern this, so we confirm the current requirements before filing. SUPREMEiP® handles UAE filings through its network, including our Dubai office.
Trademark registration process in the UAE
Search the Register
- Check for identical or similar marks in your classes in the Ministry's register.
- Choose the classes: one application can cover one or more categories (Article 8).
File with the Ministry of Economy
- File under the Implementing Regulation. Claim priority at filing, with the supporting copy (Article 11).
Examination
- The Ministry decides within 90 days if the conditions are met.
- It may impose restrictions or amendments. You have 30 days to answer, or the application is deemed waived (Article 12).
Publication and opposition
- The mark is published in the Ministry's Bulletin with the last date for objection.
- Any interested party can object within 30 days (Article 15).
Registration
- The owner receives a certificate with the registration number, filing and registration dates and the expiry date (Article 17).
Fees for filing and renewal are set by the Implementing Regulation and have changed over the years, and published figures differ between sources. We confirm the current official fee with the Ministry for your classes before we quote.
UAE trademark validity and renewal
- Protection lasts 10 years from the filing date, not from the date of the certificate.
- The certificate shows the date of expiry of the protection period.
- The renewal time limit is set by the Implementing Regulation. We diarise it with margin.
- A renewed mark is not re-examined and the renewal is published (Article 21(2)).
- If the renewal limit passes, the mark is treated as cancelled from the date the protection ended (Article 22(2)).
Do not rely on a grace period unless the Implementing Regulation clearly provides one for your case. Renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a UAE trademark
Assignment
Transfer of ownership
An application or a registered mark can be assigned or transferred with or without consideration, and it can be mortgaged (Article 28(1)).
Third parties
Recordal and publication
A transfer, mortgage or attachment is not enforceable against third parties until it is entered in the Register and announced (Article 28(3)).
Modification
Changing the mark
The owner can apply at any time for additions or modifications to the form of the mark, goods or services, as long as the identity of the mark is not substantially affected (Article 19).
Licence
Licence contracts
A licence contract entered or noted in the Register affects whether the Ministry may cancel the mark at the owner's request (Article 24(5)).
Cancellation and non-use of a UAE trademark
Article 24 sets out how a mark leaves the Register. The owner can ask to remove it for all or some goods or services. Any interested party can ask to cancel a mark that has not been used for 5 consecutive years, unless emergency circumstances prevented use. The owner of a well-known mark can ask to cancel a similar registered mark within 5 years of its registration, unless the registrant acted in bad faith. The Ministry can also cancel a mark registered in breach of the law.
Keep dated proof of use in the UAE: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in the UAE
The Ministry keeps the Trademarks Register, and any person can request a copy of the recorded data after paying the prescribed fee (Article 5). Publications appear in the Ministry's Bulletin, which carries the last date for objection.
Sources used
- Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks, English text published by the UAE Ministry of Economy: Articles 5 to 8, 11 to 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24 and 28.
- The Implementing Regulation of the Decree-Law, for renewal time limits and fees (we confirm the current version with the Ministry).
UAE trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in the UAE, and from when?
10 years, counted from the filing date (Article 21(1)).
When should I renew a UAE trademark?
Within the time limit set by the Implementing Regulation. If it passes without a renewal application, the mark is considered cancelled from the expiry date (Article 22).
What is the opposition period in the UAE?
30 days from the date of publication in the Ministry's Bulletin (Article 15(2)).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the UAE?
The official fee is set by the Implementing Regulation and published figures differ. We confirm the current Ministry fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in the UAE?
Yes. Any natural or legal person can register (Article 6). We confirm the current representation requirements in the Implementing Regulation before filing.
Can I assign a UAE trademark?
Yes, but the transfer is not enforceable against third parties until it is entered in the Register and announced (Article 28(3)).
Can I change the form of my mark?
You can add to or modify it at any time if its identity is not substantially affected (Article 19). A different mark needs a new application.
Can a UAE trademark be cancelled for non-use?
Yes. An interested party can request cancellation after 5 consecutive years of non-use, unless emergency circumstances prevented use (Article 24(3)).
How long does the Ministry take to decide?
The Decree-Law says within 90 days from filing if the conditions are met (Article 12(3)). Replies to its notices are due within 30 days.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Yes, on an earlier application in a Paris Convention state or another qualifying agreement, with a copy and statement of the earlier filing (Article 11).
Protect your brand in the UAE
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network, including our Dubai office, and checks every UAE deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
