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United Arab Emirates > Intellectual property

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Leading individuals

Al Tamimi & Company has ‘developed a strong practice through mixing local talent with globally experienced partners’, and the firm has resources across the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Omar Obeidat has ‘very good knowledge of IP rights throughout the GCC’. The 24-lawyer practice expanded through recruitment, including the hires of senior associates David Yates from Allens Arthur Robinson and Stephen Jiew, formerly regional IP counsel with Cadbury Schweppes Asia Pacific. Yates has an ‘incredible ability to quickly absorb complex issues, and propose agile and constructive solutions’. The team advised Toyota on a fast-track infringement action, while new clients include Wal-Mart and Facebook.

Clyde & Co LLP provides ‘an international approach with local expertise’, and has ‘the ability to provide expertise in many Middle Eastern markets, including IP in some of the less “Westernised” states’. The team has six native Arabic speakers and earns much of its work from local clients, such as Du and Dubai Holding Group. The ‘practical, capable and reliable’ Rob Deans heads the group, which added depth by recruiting Joycia Young from DLA Piper Middle East LLP, where she headed IP for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

DLA Piper Middle East LLP advised Averda International on the development and implementation of a global brand protection strategy, and serves as global IP counsel for The Brand Cellar. The group is able to call upon the firm’s extensive resources throughout the GCC and, while overseas clients remain its core source of instruction, it is recording significant growth among regional clients. Matthew Glynn, who splits his time between Dubai and Hong Kong, heads the IP and technology practice in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Joycia Young left to join Clyde & Co LLP.

Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants provides ‘fantastic support’, and has ‘great understanding of what clients need’. The firm acts for global giants, and was also appointed to a UAE Ministry of Economy task force to advise on the launch of a copyright management centre. Nasser Ali Khasawneh and Nayiri Boghossian are recommended.

Rouse has a strong presence in the UAE, where managing partner Sara Holder is highly recommended. The practice is best known for enforcement and investigation. Trade mark attorney Jon Parker is outstanding.

TheRightsLawyers’ ‘advice is clear, and clients can be confident in relying on it’. The firm has a strong presence in the media sector, acting for clients such as Sky News and EMI, and is active in the sports sector for clients such as Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union. Mark Hill is recommended for his ‘no-nonsense approach’.

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Legal Developments in United Arab Emirates

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • CORPORATE REAL ESTATE - United Arab Emirates

    Shahram Safai, Arsalan Shaikh, Andrew Yule, Christopher Linwood and Omar Ayad Afridi & Angell
  • ANTI-CORRUPTION COMPLIANCE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

    International businesses must devote ever increasing resources to avoid involvement in anti-corruption offences. Of course, for decades the strict provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, have applied to American corporations, defined broadly to include entities whose securities are listed on American stock markets. These provisions have led to many non-U.S. corporations being caught in FCPA violations.
  • United Arab Emirates

    Haider K Afridi and Chatura Randeniya Afridi & Angell
  • Mediation – Bridging the Gulf

    Few things are as certain as disputes in construction projects. The Middle East has been, and will continue to be, a hub for construction activity.
  • Expansion of DIFC Court Jurisdiction

    The Dubai Government recently issued Law No. 16 of 2011 on Amending Some Provisions of Law No. 12 of 2004 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (the “Law”). The effect of the Law is that it significantly expands the jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) courts. In addition to providing parties with no connection to the DIFC the option of resolving disputes through the DIFC courts, the Law also opens up the possibility of avoiding the UAE court system and allowing parties to opt for an English-based, common law court.
  • Towards a Law on Online Service Providers’ Liability in the UAE

    I was recently asked, on two occasions within one week, to advise on online service providers’ (“OSP”) liability in connection with copyright infringing material.
  • Enforcement of Foreign Awards in the UAE: A U-Turn Ahead?

    Gordon Blanke and Soraya Corm-Bakhos, Arbitration department, Habib Al Mulla & Company It is commonplace in international arbitration theory that an arbitral award is not worth the paper it is written on unless it is easily enforceable. Unfortunately, enforceability is not always a given in international arbitration practice. Enforcement of foreign awards in the UAE may serve as an instructive example.
  • Brief Overview of UAE Legal System

    The UAE Judiciary operates under a civil law system which is largely influenced by Islamic and European civil law; also, civil matters between Muslims are governed by Shariah law. In addition to subject-specific legislation which covers a variety of matters, the UAE has also adopted commercial and civil codes.  
  • Inheritance Laws of the UAE – Significance of Wills

    If the transient bout of economic recession is kept aside, yester years witnessed huge growth in the financial sector of the UAE. This inspired a big chunk of expatriate population to relocate to the UAE both for employment and investment. With the most congenial economic and employment ambience created by the visionary rulers of the country, many of the expatriates made significant economical gains too.
  • AN OVERVIEW OF UAE AGENCY LAW

    Mark Gilligan & Douglas G. Smith: September 2011 

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