Intellectual Property involves patents, trademarks and copyrights among other things.
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...
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...
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...
The rapid growth of digital commerce has challenged traditional notions of trademark use and enforcement, particularly in jurisdictions where physical presence was once viewed as a key indicator of commercial activity. In a significant recent development, the Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation has reaffirmed that online-only brands enjoy full trademark protection in the UAE, even...
Discover how the UAE’s updated trademark fee structure under Council of Ministers Resolution No. 102 of 2025 aligns with India’s Trademark Rules. From SME exemptions to expedited filings, this article explores key regulatory shifts and their implications for brand owners. A trademark is a “mark”, which could be a name, word, symbol, device, shape, packaging, colour, or...
In a decision reported on 24 October 2025, the Calcutta High Court held that the mark “PROTIFIX”, used in respect of a protein supplement, is deceptively like the longstanding mark “PROTINEX” and accordingly ordered that the registration for PROTIFIX be rectified, cancelled, removed and expunged from the register of trademarks. The court emphasised that an...
The UAE Cabinet, through Cabinet Resolution No. (102) of 2025, has approved a comprehensive update to the Ministry of Economy’s (MoE) fee schedule governing trademark services. This reform modernizes the UAE’s trademark system in line with international standards and reinforces the country’s growing focus on innovation and intellectual property protection. The updated fees will take...
India is a land of festivals, and its rich cultural heritage is expressed through countless products, designs, and innovations that accompany these celebrations. From the sparkling lights of Diwali crackers to intricately crafted Ganesh idols during Ganesh Chaturthi, and the vibrant powders of Holi, these festival-related creations are more than just objects they are intellectual...
India’s traditional knowledge is vast and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. From the ancient practices of Ayurveda and Yoga to systems like Unani, Siddha, and Sowa Rigpa, this knowledge reflects centuries of communal experimentation and refinement. The question that often arises is whether such knowledge can be patented in India. The short answer is...
Geographical Indications (GIs) occupy a unique and often underappreciated space in the intellectual property (IP) landscape. Unlike patents that reward inventors or trademarks that distinguish businesses, GIs are inherently collective rights tied to communities, cultures, and geographies. They protect products that draw their uniqueness from a specific region whether it is Darjeeling Tea, Banarasi Sarees,...
