Trade Marks
Posted on 21/1/2022

UAE joins the Madrid Protocol

The UAE became the 109th member state of the Madrid trade mark system.

On 28 December 2021, the UAE became the 109th member state of the Madrid trade mark system and the third Gulf state to join, following Bahrain and Oman.

The Madrid trade mark system is an international treaty that allows for international trade mark applications to be filed. An applicant using the system can file one application with the national IP office of a member state to seek trade mark protection in up to 124 territories, the territories of interest being designated when the application is filed. The Madrid system is a cost-effective method of obtaining trade mark protection in multiple territories.

Trade mark owners are therefore now able to designate the UAE as one of the territories covered by an international application. Additionally, it is possible for proprietors of existing international trade mark registrations to seek to extend the coverage of their registrations to include the UAE.

This change benefits rights holders as they no longer need to organise powers of attorney as previously and the official fees payable have been reduced.

Wilson Gunn has extensive experience in trade mark matters, including filing and managing international registered trade mark applications.

If filing a new international application or expanding the coverage of an existing application or registration to include the UAE is of interest, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact at Wilson Gunn. Alternatively, feel free to contact one of our trade mark attorneys.

Wilson Gunn