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Insights · Trademark

Trademark

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.

Intellectual Property

Customs IP Recordal in Saudi Arabia: A Strategic Tool for Brand Protection

In an era where counterfeit goods increasingly threaten global supply chains, Customs IP Recordal emerges as a critical tool in the intellectual property enforcement toolkit. For businesses operating in or exporting to Saudi Arabia, understanding the recordal process with the Saudi Customs Authority is essential to effectively protect trademarks and combat infringement at the border.  […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 19 May 2025 · 4 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Copyright in Saudi Arabia: Protecting Creativity in the Heart of the Gulf

In the past decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a dramatic transformation that transcends infrastructure, energy, and finance. One of the most remarkable shifts has been in the realm of intellectual property (IP), especially copyright protection. As part of the broader Vision 2030 framework, the Kingdom has actively strengthened its legal and regulatory […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 13 May 2025 · 5 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Saudi Arabia’s New Trademark Regulations: Protecting the sanctity of Mecca and Medina

In a country where religion and identity are deeply intertwined, Saudi Arabia has taken a bold legal step to protect the sanctity of its holiest cities—Mecca and Medina—from commercial misuse. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), under Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark – Article 3(5), has recently issued new trademark regulations restricting the use of […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 9 May 2025 · 4 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Almarai’s Trademark Vigilance: Safeguarding Brand Integrity in the GCC

Established in 1977, Almarai has grown into one of the most recognizable food and beverage brands in the Middle East. Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the company produces and distributes dairy, juice, bakery, poultry, and infant nutrition products. With an estimated brand value exceeding USD 2 billion, Almarai’s name is synonymous with quality and trust […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 6 May 2025 · 5 minRead →
Trademark

Renewing and Maintaining a Trademark in Saudi Arabia: A Detailed Legal Perspective

As trademark protection becomes increasingly critical across the GCC region, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leading jurisdiction with a robust and sophisticated intellectual property framework. The Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening IP rights is evident through its adoption of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Trademark Law and the establishment of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 30 Apr 2025 · 6 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia: A Lawyer’s Step By Step Guide

This article is about trademark registration in Saudi Arabia. To know more about trademark registration in the UAE, refer to A Guide to Trademark Registration in the UAE: Steps, Costs and Benefits. To know about patents, copyrights and other intellectual property protection in the UAE, refer to Exploring UAE Intellectual Property Law.    In the […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 8 Apr 2025 · 5 minRead →
Intellectual Property

The Dubai Chocolate Verdict: A Bold Stand for Authenticity and Brand Protection

A trademark is a legally recognized symbol, word, or phrase that distinguishes a product from others in the marketplace. Geographic Indications (GIs), on the other hand, specifically protect names linked to a place of origin and unique quality—like “Dubai chocolate.”  Dubai Chocolate’ Ruling: A Case for Trademark Protection and Geographic Indications  In a landmark decision […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 21 Feb 2025 · 4 minRead →
Intellectual Property

Trademark Registration in the UAE: Steps, Fees and Timeline (2026)

Trademark registration is a vital step for businesses to protect their brand identity, build consumer trust, and gain a competitive advantage in today’s global market. In the UAE, trademarks are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks, which provides a comprehensive legal framework for trademark protection. This guide elaborates on the trademark […]

Hemakshi Prabhu · 6 Dec 2024 · 8 minRead →
News

Qatar Becomes a Member of the Madrid System for Global Trademark Protection

Doha, August 23, 2024 – Qatar has officially become a member of the Madrid System, a global mechanism for the registration of trademarks, as of August 3, 2024. This significant step enhances Qatar’s ability to protect intellectual property rights on an international scale and streamlines the process for businesses and individuals seeking trademark protection in […]

Kartik Shetty · 27 Aug 2024 · 1 minRead →
Intellectual Property

UAE Modernises Trademark Laws to Include Sound Marks

The UAE Federal Decree-Law (36) of 2021 defines a trademark, encompassing various forms of visual and auditory identifiers, and explicitly mentions “a distinctive sound”, signalling the UAE’s readiness to modernise its trademarks laws. In the dynamic landscape of global commerce, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands as a beacon of progress, continually refining its legal […]

Madhav Vinod Krishna · 9 Mar 2024 · 3 minRead →