Trademark registration is essential for businesses in the UAE to protect their brand value and to obtain legal protection. A well-defined branding strategy is necessary for a company to remain competitive in the market. Trademark registration is one of the primary branding strategies that can improve the value of a brand. Most businesses in the UAE file their trademarks in multiple classes to prevent trademark infringement and also to enhance brand value. Companies should choose the right class based on their goods and services. Registering your trademark in the appropriate class will secure you with legal protection for your products and services. Business can ensure their brand value by seeking the advice of professional trademark service providers.
Why is it important to register your trademark under the right class?
The UAE follows the NICE classification system for trademark registration, which is an internationally recognised system for classifying goods and services. NICE classification consists of 45 classes, of which 34 are for goods and 11 are for services. Each class consist of a wide range of items or activities, and registering your trademark in the relevant class will ensure proper protection for your brand.
By registering a trademark in the appropriate class, businesses can avail specific protection for the goods and services that they offer. Also, choosing the proper trademark class will avoid conflicts with other company that operates in a different sector. Additionally, by selecting the relevant class based on your business activities, you can avoid unnecessary expenses.
Previously, UAE trademark law mandated separate applications for each class. However, with the introduction of Federal Trademarks Law No. 36 of 2021, effective from January 2022, brand owners are now permitted to register their trademarks across multiple classes within a single application—bringing UAE procedures in line with international standards.
Key reasons why companies in the UAE register their trademark under multiple classes:
Most businesses offer a variety of goods and services. While registering a trademark, you can select different classes to obtain protection for various kinds of goods and services. Therefore, you don’t need to file a separate application for each class; instead, you can consolidate them into a single application. By registering a trademark in multiple classes, a business can improve its profitability. For instance, if your company sells clothing products, you can choose class 25, which is for clothing, and also register your mark under class 24, which is for textiles. By doing so, business can prevent their competitors from selling the same products with identical or similar trademarks.
Multi-class registration will enhance a brand’s service offering and expand the company’s service region. So, by providing services in different classes, the brand image of the organisation will change in the marketplace. Additionally, customers will not be confused about the services and products offered by a brand when a business registers its trademark under multiple classes based on its business activities.
Multi-class trademark registration process in the UAE:
Choose the appropriate class based on your business activities.
The first step is to identify the classes that align with the goods and services of a business, such as class 30 of the Nice classification, which covers food products, and class 9, which encompasses electronic devices, software, and other related items. Therefore, businesses should be aware of the NICE classification or seek guidance from trademark service providers in the UAE.
Trademark search
A trademark search should be conducted so that you can determine if the chosen trademark is already registered in the desired class. A trademark search can be conducted through the database of the UAE Ministry of Economy. Ensure that the trademark is not already registered; otherwise, it could lead to infringement.
Application filing
File a multiclass trademark application by choosing the appropriate class based on your business activities. You can apply to the UAE Ministry of Economy by clearly specifying the necessary classes under which you wish to register your trademark.
Examination and Publication
Your application will be reviewed and published in the official gazette by the ministry. If there is no opposition within 30 days, it will then be eligible for registration. The examination process will include verification of the necessary documents. If any formal requirements are incomplete, the trademark office may issue a request for corrections or additional documentation.
Trademark registration certificate
Once approved, you will receive a certificate confirming that your trademark has been successfully registered in the designated classes.
Choose the best trademark agent in the UAE to secure your brand:
Selecting the correct class is a crucial step in trademark registration in the UAE. When registering your trademark under multiple classes, make sure the chosen classes align with your business activities. The filing cost of the multi-class trademark registration will increase based on the number of classes, so make sure that you register your trademark under the required class. Jitendra Intellectual Property can help businesses with trademark registration in the UAE. Our expertise in UAE IP law will be helpful for trademark registration. Our trademark professionals will help you register your mark under multiple categories in an effective manner.
