UAE sees significant increase in IP registrations
11 December 2024
The efficacy of national measures aimed at fostering an environment driven by innovation is demonstrated by the notable rise in intellectual property registrations in the UAE during the first nine months of 2024, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy.
The number of trademarks, patents and utility certificates registered has increased significantly, which is indicative of improvements in fostering entrepreneurship and research and development (R&D) in a variety of scientific and economic fields.
In only nine months, trademark registrations increased by 39.12 percent during this time, while IP registrations increased by 34.3 percent. Additionally, as compared to the same period in 2023, patents, utility certificates and industrial designs increased by 8 percent. The ministry reported 1,884 IP works overall, which is a significant rise from 1,402 the year before and brings the total to 20,389 cumulatively.
Demand for IP registration has increased across various industries, as seen by the 1,946 applications the ministry received this year, a remarkable 53.23 percent increase over the 1,270 applications received the year before. Additionally, 209 applications for the registration of importers and distributors of intellectual property rights were processed, representing a 26.67 percent increase, while 153 notifications of IP infringement were made.
As of September 2024, 18,175 new trademarks were registered in the UAE, a 39 percent increase over the previous year. There are now 356,408 active trademarks in UAE markets after the ministry processed 24,258 trademark registration applications and answered 8,171 trademark questions.
Additionally, according to data, the number of registered patents, utility certificates and industrial designs increased by 8 percent, reaching 15,051 at the end of September 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, 3,489 registration applications were filed, representing a 3.8 percent increase.
According to Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, these results demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to building a strong IP ecosystem that complies with international norms, highlighting the role that knowledge and innovation play in promoting economic development. Legislative progress and the introduction of comprehensive programs for the industrial and creative sectors have been given top priority by the ministry.
Al Saleh went on to underline the ministry’s dedication to working with partners in the public and commercial sectors to offer the resources required to support the expansion and competitiveness of the IP industry. This is in line with the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which is to rank the UEA as one of the top 10 global talent destinations.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
