Trademark Registration in the UAE: Process, Cost and Timeline
UAE trademarks are registered with the Ministry of Economy (MOEC) through its online services. You search for conflicts, file in each relevant class of the Nice Classification, wait for examination, publish the accepted mark for opposition, then pay the registration fee. Government fees are roughly AED 6,000 to 10,000 per class in total depending on applicant type and current fee schedule. A smooth application often takes about 3 to 6 months. Protection lasts 10 years and is renewable.
Why register a trademark in the UAE?
A UAE-registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your name or logo for the registered goods or services in the UAE, and the legal basis to stop copies. A trade licence name alone does not give trademark protection.
What can be registered?
- Words, names and slogans.
- Logos and designs.
- Combinations of letters, numbers and colours.
- Some three-dimensional shapes and sounds, under conditions.
Marks that are generic, misleading, offensive to public morals or similar to famous marks are usually refused.
What are the steps?
- Search the MOEC database for identical or similar marks.
- Choose your classes under the Nice Classification.
- File the application online with MOEC.
- Examination by MOEC.
- Publication in the official gazette and newspapers for opposition.
- Pay the registration fee if no opposition.
- Receive the registration certificate.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Approx government fee |
|---|---|
| Application (per class) | About AED 750 to 1,500 |
| Publication | Included or charged separately per schedule |
| Registration (per class) | About AED 5,000 to 8,000 |
| Total per class | About AED 6,000 to 10,000 |
| Agent fees | Optional; vary |
Approx, last checked Oct 2026, not GulfBot prices. SMEs and Emirati entrepreneurs may get reduced fees; check MOEC.
How long does it take?
| Stage | Approx time |
|---|---|
| Examination | 1 to 3 months |
| Publication and opposition | 30 days |
| Registration | Weeks after fee payment |
What if my application is objected to?
You can respond to MOEC's examination objections with arguments or amendments, or appeal under the published procedure. If a third party opposes, both sides submit statements and MOEC decides. Get advice for oppositions.
How long does protection last?
10 years from filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods.
Trademark registration in other GCC countries
Each GCC country runs its own trademark office: SAIP in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar and Kuwait, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in Oman, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain. There is no single active GCC-wide trademark registration in practice, so file in each country you sell in.
Checklist
- Search before you design packaging.
- List all goods and services and map them to classes.
- Prepare a clear logo file.
- File in your own name or your company's name.
- Diary the renewal date.
How GulfBot helps
Send a trademark registration request, and a qualified provider can help with search and filing. GulfBot AI can explain classes in plain language.
Worked example: a café brand
A café brand plans to sell coffee and branded merchandise. It may need to file in Class 43 (restaurant services), Class 30 (coffee products) and possibly Class 25 (clothing) for merchandise. Filing in all three costs more but protects each line of business. The founder searches MOEC for similar names first and adjusts the logo before printing packaging.
Worked example: an app business
A tech start-up launching an app may file in Class 9 (software) and Class 42 (software services), and in Class 35 if it offers marketplace or advertising services. Registering early helps when app stores ask for proof of rights.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the search and filing a similar mark.
- Filing in only one class when the brand covers several.
- Registering in a founder's name without a plan to assign it to the company.
- Letting the renewal date pass.
How do I protect my brand while waiting?
- Keep dated records of use, such as invoices and marketing.
- Use the ™ symbol.
- Monitor the gazette for similar marks.
- Register the trade name and domain.
Questions to ask a trademark agent
- Which classes do my goods and services fall into?
- How similar is my mark to existing ones?
- What are the total government fees per class?
- How will you handle objections or oppositions?
How the search works
Before filing, search MOEC's trademark database for identical and similar marks in the same and related classes. Look for similar spelling, sound and meaning, including Arabic translations or transliterations of your mark. A mark that sounds the same as an existing one in the same class is a common reason for refusal. A professional search report can also look at unregistered use and company names.
What does an application include?
- Applicant name and address (individual or company).
- A clear image of the mark, in colour if you want to protect colours.
- The class or classes and a description of goods and services.
- Priority claim details if filed abroad within the last six months.
- Power of attorney if filed through an agent.
After registration
Use the mark consistently, keep evidence of use, record any change of owner or address with MOEC, and enforce your rights by monitoring the market and gazette. You can file customs recordals to help stop counterfeit imports in some cases.
Ask GulfBot AI about your case
Explore services, ask a question and send a request from your phone or the web portal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the ™ symbol before registration?
Yes, to show you claim the mark. The ® symbol is only for registered marks.
Can I register a trademark without a UAE company?
Yes, individuals and foreign companies can apply, often through an agent.
How many classes do I need?
As many as your goods and services cover. Each class has its own fee.
Is a trade name the same as a trademark?
No. A trade name is registered with your licence; a trademark is registered with MOEC.
Can I register an Arabic version of my brand?
Yes, and many businesses file both English and Arabic versions to cover how customers search and speak.
What happens if someone copies my registered trademark?
You can send a warning, file a complaint with the economic department, or take court action. Get legal advice.
Should I register my trademark before launching?
Ideally yes, or at least file the application before launch. Filing early gives you an earlier priority date and lowers the risk of someone else registering a similar mark first.
Does a UAE trademark protect me in Saudi Arabia?
No. Trademarks are territorial, so you need to file with SAIP in Saudi Arabia and with each other GCC country where you sell.
Official sources
- UAE Ministry of Economy: trademarks
- UAE Government portal: intellectual property
- WIPO Nice Classification
- Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property
Costs and timelines in this guide are approximate market ranges from official portals and established providers, last checked October 2026. They are not GulfBot prices. Rules change, and final requirements and approvals are set by the relevant authority and qualified service provider. Read more answers in the GulfBot FAQ.