Protecting your brand: trademarks in the UAE

Your trade name on a DET licence is only the legal name of the business; it does not protect your brand. A logo, a name or both are protected across the UAE only after they are registered as a trademark with the federal Ministry of Economy and Tourism, under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021. Applications are filed online, one class of goods or services at a time, and fees are charged for each class. The Ministry checks the mark against earlier marks and decides within about 20 working days; a one-day examination is available for AED 2,250. An accepted mark is published in the Trademark Bulletin, which appears twice a month, and anyone may object within 30 days. The certificate is issued after the final fee is paid. Since 14 November 2025 a normal registration costs AED 6,500 per class (AED 750 examination, AED 750 publication and AED 5,000 registration). Members of the National SME Programme pay half, and People of Determination are exempt. Protection lasts ten years and can be renewed in the tenth year, or up to six months late at a higher fee. Owners who live outside the UAE must file through a registered trademark agent with a notarised power of attorney translated into Arabic. Logos can be slightly modified later, ownership can be transferred, and marks can be licensed or cancelled. It is wise to search for similar marks before using a new brand.