UAE Strengthens Intellectual Property Framework with Accession to Global Design Classification Pact
The United Arab Emirates has officially joined the Locarno Agreement, an international treaty establishing a unified classification system for industrial designs. This strategic move is set to significantly bolster the nation’s industrial design protection system and further integrate its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem with global best practices.
The Locarno Agreement, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), provides a standardised framework for the classification of industrial designs. The UAE’s accession is seen as a key milestone in enhancing international cooperation in intellectual property, particularly in facilitating the registration, search, and comparison of industrial designs among member states, and unifying classification procedures across various intellectual property offices.
Officials highlighted that this decision aligns with the UAE’s overarching vision to cultivate a leading institutional environment that supports innovators and inventors. By fortifying intellectual property rights, the nation aims to enable both individual and institutional innovation, contributing to the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision and solidifying its position as a global hub for knowledge and innovation-based economies.
Continued Growth in Trademark, Copyright, and Patent Filings
The UAE’s intellectual property sector continues to experience substantial growth, reflecting the positive impact of recently introduced legislation, initiatives, and projects. Statistical data from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism indicates a strong upward trend across various IP categories.
During the first half of 2026, the Ministry recorded 17,217 national and international trademark registrations. This follows a robust performance in 2025, which saw a total of 39,113 trademarks registered.
Copyright protection has also seen a marked increase, with registered intellectual works rising by 35.4% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The total number of intellectual works registered throughout 2025 reached 2,082.
Patent activity has similarly demonstrated consistent expansion. The Ministry reported a 12% increase in patent applications during the first half of 2026 relative to the corresponding period in the previous year. A total of 4,353 patent applications were filed during 2025. Furthermore, applications for utility model certificates saw a 7.14% increase in the first half of the current year.
Intensified Enforcement Against Digital Piracy
In parallel with efforts to strengthen IP registration and protection, the UAE has escalated its measures to safeguard broadcasting rights and combat digital piracy. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Insta Block Centre has been instrumental in these enforcement actions, blocking 31,852 infringing websites in 2026. This represents a significant increase of 26% in blocked sites during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2025, underscoring the nation’s commitment to robust IP enforcement.