Patents Laws in United Arab Emirates
Here’s a detailed overview of patent laws in the United Arab Emirates (UAE):
🇦🇪 Overview of UAE Patent Law
1. Governing Authority
Patents in the UAE are administered by the Ministry of Economy.
The UAE is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) but is not a member of the European Patent Convention (EPC).
The UAE follows its own national patent law and regulations.
2. Legal Framework
The key legislation is Federal Law No. 31 of 2006 on the Regulation of Industrial Rights, including patents.
Implementing regulations provide detailed procedural guidance.
🔑 Key Features of UAE Patent Law
1. Patentability Criteria
To be patentable in the UAE, an invention must be:
Novel (not publicly disclosed anywhere before the filing date)
Involve an inventive step (non-obvious to a skilled person)
Industrially applicable (useful in some industry)
2. Exclusions
Not patentable:
Discoveries and scientific theories
Aesthetic creations (e.g., artwork)
Methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy (though products like medicines can be patented)
Plant or animal varieties, genetic resources
Business methods, computer programs, or purely intellectual concepts (although software related to a technical invention may be patentable)
3. Patent Term
Patents are granted for 20 years from the filing date.
No patent term extensions currently exist in UAE law.
4. Patent Application Process
Applications must be filed with the Ministry of Economy.
The application must include a detailed description, claims, drawings (if applicable), and an abstract.
Examination is conducted to check compliance with patentability criteria.
The UAE does not conduct substantive examination for novelty and inventive step in all cases; some rely on the PCT or other foreign patents.
5. Enforcement
Patent infringement cases are handled in UAE courts.
Remedies can include injunctions, seizure of infringing goods, and damages.
🔄 Renewal Fees
Renewal fees start after the first year and must be paid annually to maintain patent validity.
Non-payment causes patent lapse.
🔗 International Treaties
UAE is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), allowing applicants to enter the UAE national phase via PCT applications.
UAE is not part of the European Patent Convention (EPC).
🛡️ Utility Models
The UAE does not currently have a utility model or petty patent system.
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