If you want to protect your brand’s identity in the UAE, you should never downplay the importance of trademark registration. The process can be complex, but you should not refrain from registering a trademark in the UAE. Otherwise, your competitors can steal your brand name or logo and make profits from it.
Letting others benefit from your brand’s value in the market can cause costly damages to your business. This can be stopped by conducting trademark registration in the UAE. However, you should be wary of the risk of rejection associated with the UAE trademark registration process.
Trademark agents in the UAE can help you avoid rejection by advising you of the regulations and standard procedures.
This blog gives you a guideline to register a trademark in Dubai, UAE with zero chances of rejection:
Step 1: Understand What Can Be Trademarked
Before diving into the registration process, it’s essential to understand what can be trademarked. Trademarks can include:
- Brand names, slogans, and logos.
- Sounds marks associated with a brand.
- A specific color or color scheme associated with a brand
- Distinctive product shapes or packaging designs
Step 2: Conduct a Thorough Trademark Search
The top reason for trademark rejection in the UAE is the similarity with an already registered mark. This can be avoided by carrying out a trademark search before applying. Trademark agents in Dubai can search for the existence of conflicting marks by browsing through the official trademark database and the internet database.
Step 3: Choose a Strong and Distinctive Mark
Based on their strength, trademarks are divided into the following categories:
- Fanciful Marks: these are made-up words like Kodak and are highly recommended.
- Suggestive Marks: these are strong marks that indicate the quality or characteristic of the goods/services without describing them directly such as Netflix.
- Arbitrary Marks: these are words with a meaning unrelated to the nature of the product. Apple for an electronic product is a good example of arbitrary marks. Arbitrary marks ensure fewer chances of trademark rejection.
- Descriptive Marks: directly describe the goods/services that are considered weak.
- Generic Marks: These are common terms for products/services that cannot be registered as trademarks.
Step 4: Prepare a Detailed and Accurate Application
Ensure your trademark application is accurately prepared:
- Use precise and appropriate classifications from the NICE classification
- Write how the trademark will be used in commerce, such as on products, packaging, or promotional materials.
- The ownership details should be consistent with the company registration records
Step 5: Monitor and Respond Promptly to Office Actions
After submitting your application, the examiner may issue an office action that explains key issues such as the likelihood of confusion and descriptiveness. You should respond promptly and thoroughly to any office action. Trademark agents in Dubai can help you in such circumstances.
Step 6: Consider International Registration
If you have expansion plans, consider registering your trademark in other countries through the Madrid Protocol.
Step 7: Maintain and Protect Your Trademark
The following measures are required to put in place to effectively maintain your registered mark:
- Renew your trademarks every 10 years
- Regularly monitor your trademark using trademark watch services
- Make sure you are consistently and properly using the trademark to avoid dilution or abandonment.
- Do not forget to use the trademark symbols to tell the public that your mark is registered with the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE)
Hire the Best Trademark Agents in the UAE
While it’s challenging to ensure zero chances of rejection in trademark registration, you can reduce the risk by adhering to the tips mentioned in this blog. A strong, unique, and well-researched trademark application is your golden ticket to avoid trademark rejection in the UAE.
Consider consulting with the best trademark agents in the UAE such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP) to further improve your chances of avoiding rejections. We offer the best trademark services in Dubai at affordable charges. We can help you avoid the risk of trademark rejection in Dubai, UAE.