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PROTECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PATENT REGISTRATION IN DUBAI AND THE GCC

UAE: A THRIVING ECONOMY WITH STRONG PATENT PROTECTIONS

United Arab Emirates is one of the largest economies in the Gulf Cooperation Council with the nominal gross domestic product of US$414.2B and a real GDP of $392.8B. With the considerate investment along with the economic liberalization, the economy of UAE has seen their real GDP to become more than triple in the last four decades making it one of the richest countries with the GDP per capita almost 80% higher than the OECD average. For businesses it offers the best environment with stable political and macroeconomic condition, world class general and ICT infrastructure.
 

The United Arab Emirates protects the Intellectual Property patents in accordance with the Federal Law No. 31 of 2016, promulgated by Law No. 17 of 2002 on Regulation and Intellectual Property Protection of Industrial Property of Patents, Industrial Drawings and Designs.A patent protection in the UAE is granted for any new invention resulting from an innovative idea or innovative improvement of an invention in all fields of technology, provided that such an idea or innovative improvement has a scientific basis and is applicable. The invention shall be deemed industrially applicable in its broadest term if used or utilised in such fields as agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts and services. Examples of patents that are not protected include:

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  • Researches, plant and animal species, and biological methods for production of animal and plant excluding microbiological methods and their products

  • Diagnostic methods, treatments and surgical operations needed for humans and animals

  • Scientific and mathematical principles, discoveries and methods

  • Guidelines, rules or methods followed to conduct business, perform mental activities or play games

  • Invention that may lead to violation of public order or morals.

UAE PATENT LAWS:
CLEAR BOUNDARIES FOR INNOVATION

Applicable Fields

Agriculture • Fisheries
Handicrafts • Services

Excluded Categories

Research • Species
Diagnostics • Surgeries

Unprotected Concepts

Scientific Principles
Discoveries and Methods

Ethical Restrictions

Violations of public order or morals.

International Centre for Patent Registration (ICPR) under Ministry of Economy is the competent authority to register patents in the UAE. To register a patent, you can submit an online application via the ministry’s website. The filed application may contain a request to claim a priority of an application that has been filed in another state being a party of an agreement or a treaty with the UAE. In this case, the application date and number of the previously filed application should be indicated together with the name of the state, as provided for in the implementing regulations of this law. The priority term shall be twelve months as of the date of first filing.

OFFICIAL FEES FOR PATENT REGISTRATION IN UAE

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