The Post-Grant Phase as the True Test of Patent Value Obtaining a patent grant in the United Arab Emirates marks a critical legal milestone, but it is only the beginning of a much longer and more commercially decisive phase. In practice, the post-grant period determines whether a patent remains a valuable business asset or deteriorates...
Patent protection is a cornerstone of innovation, offering exclusive rights to inventors and businesses seeking to safeguard inventions, foster competitive advantage, and unlock commercialization opportunities. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), patent filing follows a structured legal and administrative framework under the Federal Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (UAE IP Law). This article provides...
Why Patents Matter in the UAE The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly established itself as a regional and increasingly global hub for innovation. With strong national initiatives focused on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, energy transition, healthcare, fintech, space technology, and smart infrastructure, the UAE is rapidly transitioning from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-based...
The India–EU FTA could unlock massive trade potential, rebalance global supply chains, and deepen strategic cooperation between two of the world’s largest markets. India and the European Union (EU) are approaching a landmark free trade agreement that officials and commentators are already describing as the “mother of all deals.” With negotiations nearing completion after nearly two...
Introduction The Nice Classification system, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is the globally accepted framework for classifying goods and services for trademark registration. It plays a critical role in trademark filing, examination, enforcement, and portfolio management across more than 150 jurisdictions. Effective 1 January 2026, WIPO has introduced the 13th Edition of the Nice...
A Strategic Alternative to Court Litigation under Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2021 Trademark enforcement in the United Arab Emirates has evolved significantly with the introduction of Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks and its Executive Regulations. One of the most notable developments under the current legal framework is the...
The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has significantly strengthened bilateral trade by allowing preferential customs duty treatment on qualifying goods originating in India and imported into the UAE. As businesses increasingly adopt commercially efficient and multi-layered trade models, questions frequently arise on whether such benefits remain available when non-traditional structures are used. This article...
When monopoly ends, enforcement ends with it—except where past infringement leaves a financial trail. A decisive ruling on the limits of judicial relief after patent expiry, clarifying why exclusivity ends with the statutory term but monetary accountability for past infringement does not. In a significant intellectual property law ruling, the Delhi High Court has clarified how patent rights in...
Challenge The client approached ATB Legal with a dual-jurisdiction trademark matter involving parallel trademark filings in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). While the UAE trademark proceeded smoothly, the KSA trademark encountered a critical procedural issue that required immediate legal intervention. In Saudi Arabia, trademark ownership requirements are strictly enforced. The client’s...
Challenge A multinational enterprise headquartered in Canada, with operational bases in Mexico, the United States, and the Middle East, sought to establish a fully compliant and operational presence in the United Arab Emirates as part of its global expansion strategy. While the client was commercially sophisticated and experienced in cross-border operations, it faced several challenges...
