UAE Reforms Trademark System with New Fee Structure and Efficiency Measures
Dubai, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has announced comprehensive revisions to its trademark fee structure and operational procedures, signaling a strategic move to bolster intellectual property protection and enhance the nation’s appeal for businesses and innovators. The amendments aim to streamline processes, reduce costs for specific segments, and align the UAE’s intellectual property framework with global best practices.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism confirmed that the new policies are designed to improve the flexibility and efficiency of trademark services, thereby fostering a more competitive business environment both locally and internationally. A key focus of these reforms is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals with disabilities.
Fee Reductions and Exemptions for Key Stakeholders
Under the new regulations, members of the National SME Programme will benefit from a significant 50 percent reduction on all trademark service fees. In a move to promote inclusivity and support, individuals with disabilities will receive a full exemption from all trademark service charges. These measures are intended to stimulate business growth and innovation within these vital sectors of the economy.
Enhanced Efficiency in Trademark Registration
A notable operational enhancement is the introduction of a pathway allowing for the examination of trademark registration applications at the initial submission stage, potentially enabling trademarks to be examined within a single day. This expedited review process is expected to significantly reduce processing times and improve the overall efficiency of trademark registration in the country.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism highlighted that these changes are a crucial step towards improving the quality of trademark registration services and facilitating faster procedures for businesses to register and manage their intellectual property rights.
Introduction of New Trademark Services and Fees
The revised framework encompasses 28 trademark services, including adjustments to existing fees and the introduction of seven new services. Among the newly introduced services and their corresponding fees are:
- Registration of a geographical indication: AED 6,500
- One-day trademark examination: AED 2,250
- Grievance against trademark cancellation: AED 5,000
- Conversion of national trademark to international: AED 400
- Trademark agent registration renewal (foreign branch): AED 7,500
- Grievance against registration refusal: AED 5,000
- Examination and study of claims: AED 2,250
These additions broaden the scope of available services and reflect the UAE’s commitment to a robust intellectual property ecosystem.
Significant Growth in Trademark Registrations
The impact of these initiatives is already evident in the surge in trademark registrations. The Ministry reported a 129 percent increase in trademark registrations during the first half of 2025, with 19,957 national and international trademarks recorded, compared to 8,711 during the same period in the previous year. By the end of September, the total number of registered trademarks in the UAE had reached 402,311.
These reforms are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the UAE’s intellectual property sector in alignment with international standards. Officials underlined that the establishment of the Geographical Indications system for national products is a pioneering federal initiative aimed at protecting local products distinguished by unique features linked to specific geographical regions within the UAE.
The comprehensive enhancements to the trademark system complement the UAE’s wider economic agenda, including campaigns such as “The Emirates: The Start-up Capital of the World,” which seeks to attract entrepreneurs and increase the number of companies operating in the country to two million by 2031, with a strong emphasis on SMEs.