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Insights

Legal analysis and practical guidance on cross-border business, disputes, corporate, employment and IP matters across India and the UAE — including the Legal Help Desk, our Q&A column on the problems clients actually meet.

Trademark

AI-Powered Logo Generator on the UAE Trade Mark Portal: Legal and Practical Insights

A New Digital Chapter in UAE Trade Mark Practice  The UAE Trade Mark Office (TMO), operating under the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET), has recently introduced an AI-powered Logo Generator on the official UAE Trade Mark Portal. This development forms part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy and reflects continued collaboration between stakeholders, practitioners, and the Trade Mark Office to modernise and streamline trade mark-related services.  The […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 10 Feb 2026 · 6 minRead →
India

Trademark Classification Changes: India vs UAE (Impact of Nice Classification 13th Edition)

Why Trademark Classification Matters  Trademark classification is a foundational element of securing and enforcing IP rights. Every trademark application must include a list of goods and services and how those offerings are categorized determines the scope of protection, search results, examiner review, oppositions, enforcement, and international filings.  The Nice Classification, an internationally harmonized system administered […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 9 Feb 2026 · 7 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Patent Post-Grant Obligations in the UAE: Maintenance, Enforcement, and Strategic Value Creation

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 7 Feb 2026 · 8 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Patent Filing Process in the UAE: Step-by-Step Procedure, Documentation, Timelines & Costs

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 4 Feb 2026 · 7 minRead →
India

Patent Protection in the UAE – Part 1 – Foundations, Legal Framework & Strategic Importance

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 28 Jan 2026 · 7 minRead →
Corporate and Commercial

India–EU Free Trade Agreement: A Historic Deal Set to Reshape Global Trade

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 27 Jan 2026 · 5 minRead →
Intellectual Property

WIPO Nice Classification 13th Edition (Effective 1 January 2026): Key Changes, Impact on Trademark Filings, and Practical Guidance for Applicants

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 15 Jan 2026 · 5 minRead →
Trademark

Trademark Cancellation through the UAE Trademark Office

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 14 Jan 2026 · 5 minRead →
India

Applicability of India–UAE CEPA Benefits to Trade Structures Involving Free Zone Entities

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 7 Jan 2026 · 5 minRead →
India

Can Courts Grant Patent Injunctions After Expiry? Lessons from Toyota v. LMW Limited

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 […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 29 Dec 2025 · 5 minRead →