For professionals responsible for trademark applications, registration, and enforcement in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), this guide focuses on Federal Law No. 36 of 2021 (Trademark Law, effective January 2, 2022), covering the Ministry of Economy’s implementation guidelines, government fees, accession to the Madrid System (December 28, 2021),compliance with Sharia law (Islamic law), and the introduction of a multi-class application system.
Key Points of This Article
UAE TRADEMARK
A comprehensive guide to the UAE trademark system and practices by a patent attorney. This guide systematically explains the process in 12 sections, covering everything from filing with the Ministry of Economy to Federal Law No. 36 of 2021, the Madrid Protocol, Sharia compliance, and enforcement of rights in the IP Court.
The UAE trademark system is a statutory framework centered on Federal Law No. 36 of 2021 Concerning Trademarks, with Implementing Regulations and guidelines from the UAE Ministry of Economy governing applications, examinations, and disputes.Characterized by a hybrid of Islamic law (Sharia) and modern international trademark systems, the new 2021 law has rapidly advanced modernization through provisions such as multi-class applications, accession to the Madrid Protocol, and new types of trademarks.
Four Key Points to Keep in Mind for UAE Trademark Practice
The “primary law” of the UAE trademark system is Federal Law No. 36 of 2021 Concerning Trademarks (effective January 2, 2022), which fully replaced the previous law of 1992 (Federal Law No. 37 of 1992). It systematically stipulates the definition of trademarks, registration requirements, application procedures, oppositions, cancellations, enforcement of rights, penalties, and other matters.
The Trademarks Department of the UAE Ministry of Economy—headquartered in Abu Dhabi—is responsible for trademark examination, registration, and administrative procedures. The electronic filing system “UAE Trademarks E-Services” is in operation. The system is effective throughout all seven emirates of the UAE—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah—with a unified registration system.
| Authority | Jurisdiction and Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Economy Trademark Committee | First instance for trademark examination, opposition, and cancellation |
| Federal Court of Appeal | Appeals against decisions of the Ministry of Economy |
| Federal Supreme Court | Final Appeal (Federal Level) |
| Dubai IP Court and Abu Dhabi IP Court | Civil infringement proceedings (specialized courts by emirate) |
Accession to the Madrid Protocol and Modernization
In the UAE, both individuals and corporations may file trademark applications. Foreign applicants must appoint a local UAE agent registered with the Ministry of Economy. Agents must be UAE nationals or local corporations.
POA Requirements (Important): A POA (Power of Attorney) must be certified by a UAE consulate or with an Apostille, plus an Arabic translation. Although procedures have been simplified since the UAE joined the Apostille Convention (2014), submission of the original document is still required.
Required Documents
Processing Time: Approximately 8–12 months from filing to registration in smooth cases. Relatively swift compared to other GCC countries.
| Item | Fee (AED) | Conversion to Japanese Yen |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (per class) | AED 750 | Approx. 30,000 JPY |
| Additional Class (per class) | AED 750 | Approx. 30,000 yen |
| Publication fee (per category) | AED 750 | Approx. 30,000 yen |
| Registration fee (per category) | AED 5,000 | Approx. 200,000 yen |
| Appeal fee | AED 5,500 | Approx. 220,000 yen |
| Renewal fee (1 category, 10 years) | AED 6,500 | Approx. 260,000 yen |
UAE trademarks are among the most expensive in the Middle East: The total cost for one class (application to registration) is approximately AED 12,000 (approx. 480,000 yen). This is particularly high even among GCC countries, costing more than twice as much as in Saudi Arabia or Qatar. Including agent fees, the cost can exceed 1 million yen per class.
Trademarks Ineligible for Registration Under Sharia Law
The UAE has strengthened protection for well-known trademarks under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention. Under the new law enacted in 2021, even unregistered well-known trademarks are now eligible for protection.
Criteria for Recognizing Well-Known Marks
Oppositions may be filed with the Ministry of Economy within 30 days of the trademark publication. The period cannot be extended (strict deadline). The Ministry of Economy’s Trademark Committee hears the case, and its decision may be appealed to the Federal Court of Appeals.
If the trademark has not been used for five consecutive years following registration, any interested party may file a request for cancellation with the Ministry of Economy. The trademark owner bears the burden of proving use.
Ministry of Economy Response to Infringement
Infringement lawsuits can be filed in the Dubai IP Court, Abu Dhabi IP Court, and other courts. The primary remedies include injunctions, damages, and disgorgement of profits. Preliminary injunctions may be issued within a few days if urgency is recognized.
By registering a trademark with the UAE Federal Customs Authority, it is possible to stop the import of counterfeit goods. Under the new law enacted in 2021, customs authorities’ ex officio powers to seize goods have been strengthened. Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) and Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) serve as major transit hubs.
Trademark counterfeiting is punishable by up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to AED 100,000. The 2021 law introduced stricter penalties for organized counterfeiting.
| Item | Japan | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Language of Filing | Japanese | Arabic or English |
| Compliance with Sharia Law | None | Sharia-compliant |
| Objection Period | 2 months after registration | 30 days from publication (preliminary) |
| Cancellation for non-use | 3 years | 5 years |
| Judicial Structure | Japan Patent Office → Intellectual Property High Court | Ministry of Economy → Federal Court of Appeals → Federal Supreme Court |
| Application Fee (per class) | 12,000 yen | Approx. 30,000 yen (high) |
| POA Requirements | Not required | Apostille + Arabic translation |
The UAE trademark system is a unique framework that combines modernization under Federal Law No. 36 of 2021 with the distinctiveness of Sharia compliance. For Japanese companies to successfully establish their brands in the UAE market, the key lies in combining prior verification of Sharia compliance with efficient multinational expansion through Madpro membership, while thoroughly implementing border control measures that leverage the hub functions of the Middle East, such as Jebel Ali Port. Please also see our Madpro international trademark application and trademark registration services.
EVORIX Intellectual Property Law Firm provides comprehensive support for trademark applications and enforcement in major Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE (GCC countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, etc.). Our patent attorneys, with extensive practical experience and working in collaboration with local agents, handle everything from compliance with the 2021 amendments to Sharia compliance and customs procedures at Jebel Ali Port.
*This article is based on the above primary sources and official information as of April 2026 and is intended to provide general information. As laws and regulations are subject to change, we recommend verifying the latest information with primary sources and consulting experts. For specific decisions regarding individual cases, we recommend consulting experts, including local agents.
AUTHOR / Author
Takefumi Sugiura
Representative Patent Attorney, EVORIX Intellectual Property Office
Assists clients across a wide range of industries—including IT, manufacturing, startups, fashion, and healthcare—from patent, trademark, design, and copyright applications through to trials and infringement litigation. Also well-versed in intellectual property strategies for cutting-edge fields such as AI, IoT, Web3, and FinTech. Member of multiple organizations, including the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), and the Japan Trademark Association (JTA).