A Strategic Approach to Industrial Design Registration in the UAE
Industrial Design Protection and Registration in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established a structured and efficient system for the registration and protection of industrial designs, encouraging innovation and creative industries in the region. The procedures are managed by the Development of Innovation in the Economy and Patents Department (DIEPD) under the Ministry of Economy. Below is an overview of the key requirements, procedures, and maintenance obligations for industrial design applications in the UAE.
Authority:
- Development of Innovation in the Economy and Patents Department (DIEPD), www.moec.gov.ae
Terms of Protection:
- The UAE grants industrial design protection for a period of 20 years from the filing date.
Filing Deadline:
- For design applications claiming Paris Convention, the filing must occur within 6 months from the earliest priority date.
Required Documents:
- Representations / Pictures
- A brief description in Arabic and English
- Power of Attorney (original, notarized and legalized)
- Certified copy of Priority documents (originals required)
- Ownership Statement / Employment Statement / Priority Assignment
- Commercial license or company articles of association (for entities)
- Personal identification or commercial license (original, notarized, and legalized)
Process & Procedure:
The United Arab Emirates Intellectual Property Office conducts only a formal examination for industrial design applications. The application must be accompanied by images in Arabic or English. For any formal deficiencies notified by the Development of Innovation in the Economy and Patents Department (DIEPD), the applicant must submit a response within 90 days. The formal examination by the DIEPD takes approximately 7 months. The applicant must pay the grant and publication fees within 2 months after receiving the notice of allowance, and the DIEPD will issue the design certificate within 3 months after receiving the grant and publication fees.
Drawings or Photographs must be in black and white. If photographs are the only means of representing the industrial design, they are acceptable. If the design includes color, unless otherwise specified, the color will be considered an element of the design. It should be noted that the inclusion of color narrows the scope of protection of the industrial design.
Grace Period for Novelty：
The UAE provides a 12-month grace period prior to the filing date for any disclosure of the design - whether through exhibitions, displays, or publications. During this period, the applicant is not required to submit documents for temporary protection.
Grant and Renewal Maintenance Fee:
- Annual fees are payable from the 5 year following the application date and can be paid at any time before or upon the due date.
- Fees may also be paid for multiple years in advance.
- Late payment is allowed within 3 months after the due date without penalty; an additional 3 months may be granted upon payment of a fine.
Granting Time:
The average time required to obtain an industrial design registration in the UAE is approximately 1 - 2 years.
Conclusion
The UAE’s industrial design system provides robust protection for both domestic and foreign applicants, combining procedural clarity with flexibility in fee payment and filing options. The streamlined formal examination process and the generous novelty grace period make the UAE an attractive jurisdiction for innovators seeking to secure and commercialize their designs across the Middle East.