On March 31 2015 the UAE Ministry of Economy announced a substantial increase in official fees at the Trademark, Patent and Copyright Offices.
Details of the increased fees are set out in Cabinet Decision 9/2015, which will come into effect on May 29 2015.
The official fees for the registration of a trademark in the United Arab Emirates are set to double from Dh6,000 (approximately $1,650) to Dh12,000 (approximately $3,300). In addition to these fees, applicants will also continue to incur newspaper publication charges (which are usually around $150).
As a result, the total charges for registering a trademark in the United Arab Emirates (excluding trademark agents' fees) will amount to Dh12,550 (approximately $3,450).
The following table sets out a selection of the increases which will affect the Trademark Office.
Click here to view table.
The cabinet decision does not state whether the increased fees will apply to applications which have already been filed with the Trademark Office. However, in the absence of any 'grandfathering provisions', the increase is expected to apply to any fees which fall due on or after May 29 2015, including for both existing and new applications.
The fee increases will apply to a wide range of activities undertaken by the Ministry of Economy, not just the Trademark, Patent and Copyright Offices. For example, the fees that apply to company incorporations, trade licences and the registration of commercial agencies are also set to increase with effect from May 29 2015.
For further information on this topic please contact Rob Deans or Saba Al Sultani at Clyde & Co by telephone (+971 4384 4000) or email ([email protected] or [email protected]). The Clyde & Co website can be accessed at www.clydeco.com.
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