DESIGN SUMMARY
Design Law
Patents, utility models and designs in The UAE are protected by Federal Law No. 44 for the year 1992 pertaining to the Industrial Regulation and Protection of Patents, Industrial Drawings and Designs which was replaced by Federal Law No. 17 for the year 2002 and later amended by the Federal law 31 for the year 2006.
The Federal Law covers all the seven Emirates forming The UAE (Abu-Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al-Quwain). A design granted under said law provides protection in all Emirates.
Design related Treaties
The UAE is a member of the Paris Convention (PC), of the WIPO Convention and TRIPS Agreement.
Multi-Designs Application
Multiple Designs Application is not possible. However, an application may include more than just one industrial drawing or design, provided that such drawings or designs are interrelated in terms of manufacture and uses, and that their total number does not exceed 20 drawings or designs.
Priorities
It is possible to claim priority rights under Paris Convention within six (6) months from the date of first filing of the priority application.
​
Design Patent Requirements
A design is patentable in The UAE if it meets the criteria of Novelty, Inventiveness and Industrial applicability.
Examination
Industrial designs in the UAE are subject to formal examination. No substantive examination is performed on industrial designs.
It is to be noted that, accelerated examination system does not exist in The UAE, and publication fees are to be paid only upon receiving an official notification from UAE patent Office confirming their formal acceptance of the application; otherwise, the application will automatically lapse and payment of restoration fees will be applicable to revive the same.
Opposition
Published applications may be opposed by any interested party within a delay of 60 days from the publication date. If no opposition is filed, a Design Certificate shall be issued indicating the registration number & date.
Validity
Protection term is 10 years from filing date (Non-Extendable).
Annuities
Annuities must be paid within 3 months as from the relative anniversary date of filing and is payable before the granting of the Design. A grace period of three months is granted (after the expiration of said period), subject to payment of monthly penalty.
However, the non-payment of annuities after the expiration of the grace period would result in the lapse of the application, and payment of restoration fees will be applicable to revive the same.
In all cases, it shall be allowed to pay the annuities in advance for each or part of the validity period of the design.