Protect Your Ideas. Safeguard Your Brand. Intellectual Property
Lawyers in Dubai
Intellectual property (IP) lies at the heart of innovation and brand value. Whether it’s a trademark, invention, design, creative work, or proprietary technology, protecting these intangible assets is essential to business growth, market differentiation, and long-term success.
At ATB Legal, we provide end-to-end IP advisory, protection, and enforcement services across the UAE, GCC, India, and other global jurisdictions. Our approach is practical, commercially driven, and rooted in a deep understanding of international IP frameworks — ensuring your rights are protected wherever your business grows.
At ATB Legal, we provide end-to-end IP advisory, protection, and enforcement services across the UAE, GCC, India, and other global jurisdictions. Our approach is practical, commercially driven, and rooted in a deep understanding of international IP frameworks — ensuring your rights are protected wherever your business grows.
Protect your innovations, guard your genius; capitalize on your intellectual assets. Navigate IP intricacies and amplify value. Mastery in IP, expert counsel, global reach.
Our IP Expertise and Services
We assist clients across all major IP domains — from registration and protection to licensing and enforcement.
- Trademarks & Brand Identity Protection
Your brand is your business’s most valuable symbol. We help you protect and strengthen it across jurisdictions.
Our Services Include:
- Trademark Search & Clearance: Conducting pre-filing availability searches and conflict assessments to ensure your brand is unique and registrable.
- Trademark Filings & Registrations: Strategic filing and registration of trademarks in the UAE, GCC, India, and globally through the Madrid Protocol.
- Facilitation for Non-Madrid Countries: We coordinate with our trusted associate firms for trademark filings in non-Madrid jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC states.
- Renewals & Maintenance: Managing renewals, updates, and portfolio maintenance.
- Trademark Watch & Monitoring: Identifying potential infringements and unauthorized use in local and international markets.
- Opposition, Cancellation & Enforcement: Representing clients in administrative and legal proceedings before relevant IP offices and courts.
- Trademark Licensing & Assignments: Drafting, negotiating, and registering IP licensing, franchising, and assignment agreements.
- Cease-and-Desist Actions: Preparing and issuing warning notices to stop unauthorized use or infringement.
- IP Due Diligence: Assessing brand portfolios during mergers, acquisitions, or investment transactions to identify risks and opportunities.
- Patents & Invention Protection
We help inventors and businesses safeguard their technological innovations through comprehensive patent services.
Our Services Include:
- Patent Search & Analysis: Conducting novelty, prior-art, and freedom-to-operate searches to evaluate patentability and avoid infringement risks.
- Patent Drafting & Filing: Preparing detailed patent specifications, claims, and drawings tailored to UAE and international filing standards.
- National & International Filings: Filing patents through the UAE Ministry of Economy, the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) system, and the Paris Convention route for global protection.
- Patent Prosecution: Handling all correspondence and examination processes with the IP authorities.
- Technology Transfer & Licensing: Drafting licensing, assignment, and R&D collaboration agreements.
- Patent Enforcement: Supporting clients in infringement disputes and enforcement actions.
- Copyright & Creative Works Protection
We assist creators, developers, and businesses in protecting the originality and value of their creative outputs.
Our Services Include:
- Copyright Registration & Advisory: Guidance on registering and protecting creative works, including software, mobile apps, artworks, music, films, and written works.
- Software & App Protection: Assisting IT companies, app developers, and tech startups in securing copyrights for source code, user interfaces, and creative content.
- Licensing, Assignment & Commission Agreements: Drafting legal agreements that define ownership, distribution, and use of copyrighted material.
- Infringement & Takedown Procedures: Assisting in removing infringing content from online platforms and pursuing civil remedies.
- Portfolio Management: Ongoing management and renewal of large creative asset portfolios for corporates and creators.
- Trade Secrets & Confidential Information
In a competitive market, your business know-how is as valuable as your trademarks and patents. We help you secure it.
Our Services Include:
- Drafting Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and internal confidentiality policies.
- Advising on protection and internal management of trade secrets, formulas, and processes.
- Conducting investigations and taking action in case of misappropriation or breach of confidentiality.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions- Intellectual Property Laws
1. What constitutes a trademark in the UAE?
A trademark under UAE law (e.g., Federal Decree Law No. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks) is any distinguished form names, words, signatures, letters, figures, graphics, logos, packaging, or any other mark or combination of marks used (or intended to be used) to distinguish goods or services of one entity from another.
2. Do I have to register a trademark in the UAE for protection?
While use of a mark can give some rights, registration is strongly recommended. Registration with the Ministry of Economy (UAE) provides a presumption of ownership and is the main basis for enforcement.
3. What is the term of protection for a registered trademark in the UAE, and how is it renewed?
Once registered, a trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely in subsequent 10-year periods, subject to payment of renewal fees and compliance.
4. What is the timeline and basic process for trademark registration in the UAE?
In the UAE, one applies via the Ministry of Economy’s portal (including via registered agent if foreign owner) and after examination, publication, etc., a decision must be taken within about 90 days.
5. What about trademark registration across the GCC and how does it differ?
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) approved a new regional Trademark Law in 2019, but each member state still has its national system and differing implementation. So, while your UAE registration covers the UAE, it does not automatically cover other GCC states.
6. What are common absolute and relative grounds for refusal of a trademark in India?
Under the Trademarks Act, 1999 (India), absolute grounds (e.g., mark lacks distinctiveness, is descriptive) are set out in Section 9, and relative grounds (e.g., conflict with an earlier mark) in Section 11.
7. What does registration confer on a trademark owner in India?
Registration provides the owner with the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods/services for which it is registered and enables effective action against infringement.
A trademark under UAE law (e.g., Federal Decree Law No. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks) is any distinguished form names, words, signatures, letters, figures, graphics, logos, packaging, or any other mark or combination of marks used (or intended to be used) to distinguish goods or services of one entity from another.
2. Do I have to register a trademark in the UAE for protection?
While use of a mark can give some rights, registration is strongly recommended. Registration with the Ministry of Economy (UAE) provides a presumption of ownership and is the main basis for enforcement.
3. What is the term of protection for a registered trademark in the UAE, and how is it renewed?
Once registered, a trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely in subsequent 10-year periods, subject to payment of renewal fees and compliance.
4. What is the timeline and basic process for trademark registration in the UAE?
In the UAE, one applies via the Ministry of Economy’s portal (including via registered agent if foreign owner) and after examination, publication, etc., a decision must be taken within about 90 days.
5. What about trademark registration across the GCC and how does it differ?
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) approved a new regional Trademark Law in 2019, but each member state still has its national system and differing implementation. So, while your UAE registration covers the UAE, it does not automatically cover other GCC states.
6. What are common absolute and relative grounds for refusal of a trademark in India?
Under the Trademarks Act, 1999 (India), absolute grounds (e.g., mark lacks distinctiveness, is descriptive) are set out in Section 9, and relative grounds (e.g., conflict with an earlier mark) in Section 11.
7. What does registration confer on a trademark owner in India?
Registration provides the owner with the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods/services for which it is registered and enables effective action against infringement.
Uncompromising Quality Why Choose ATB Legal for IP Protection?
- Specialized Expertise: Experienced professionals across all IP domains — trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Global Coverage: Services spanning the UAE, GCC, India, Madrid member countries, and key international jurisdictions.
- End-to-End Lifecycle Support: From idea conception to registration, licensing, and enforcement.
- Commercially Driven Approach: We balance legal precision with practical business goals.
- Trusted Global Network: Strong relationships with IP associates across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
- Confidential & Client-Focused: Strict adherence to confidentiality and transparent client communication.
Our Process: What to Expect
- Initial Consultation: Understanding your business model, assets, and protection goals.
- Assessment & Search: Conducting clearance, novelty, or risk analysis as needed.
- Strategy Development: Preparing a customized filing or protection roadmap.
- Implementation: Filing, registration, enforcement, or licensing as per your needs.
- Ongoing Management: Renewals, monitoring, watch services, and dispute support.
Meet The Core Team
Our Team of
Lawyers and Experts
LLB
Jose Joseph
LLB
Hemakshi Prabhu
LLB
Jerome Jose
Micro Case Studies
Representative Experience
Assisted industrial and service-sector clients in implementing confidentiality protocols and responding to employee-level IP breaches.
Advised UAE-based software companies and media creators on copyright registration and protection, including app interface, website content, and media design portfolios.
Supported technology startups and industrial clients in patent filings and technology transfer arrangements across UAE, GCC, and India.
Assisted multiple UAE and international clients in securing trademarks across GCC countries, India, and Madrid member countries, while facilitating filings for non-Madrid jurisdictions through our global partner network.
We assist clients across all major IP domains — from registration and protection to licensing and enforcement.
Advised UAE-based software companies and media creators on copyright registration and protection, including app interface, website content, and media design portfolios.
Supported technology startups and industrial clients in patent filings and technology transfer arrangements across UAE, GCC, and India.
Assisted multiple UAE and international clients in securing trademarks across GCC countries, India, and Madrid member countries, while facilitating filings for non-Madrid jurisdictions through our global partner network.
We assist clients across all major IP domains — from registration and protection to licensing and enforcement.
Free Legal Consultation
Our seasoned legal experts specialized in Intellectual Property Rights are here to support you with unparalleled legal guidance and representation. Book a FREE one-on-one consultation.