Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development announced lately launching the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority "ADRA" which shall be tasked with improving and overseeing the business sector throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi "Emirate".

The United Arab Emirates has established the National Media Authority as a new federal regulator with consolidated powers over media policy, licensing, and oversight nationwide.

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has recently announced the start of accepting licensing applications for companies wishing to provide virtual asset services in the UAE.

When the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPS Agreement") was drafted nearly a decade ago, pharmaceutical protection was guaranteed effective data protection and further schemes were introduced to safeguard the interests of the pharmaceutical companies in countries making use of the transition periods contained in the TRIPS Agreement.

Dubai is set to revolutionize its business landscape with the introduction of the "one free zone passport" scheme, allowing businesses to operate from multiple free zones through a single license.

ESMAA has achieved a lot in just one year, Hussain ‘Spek' Yoosuf told Arab News during his interview, upon completion of one year by the organization.

In the contemporary landscape of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, brand collaboration has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing competitive advantage and fostering innovation.

The UAE is implementing a new music licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses starting December 1, 2026. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, establishments including restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, and broadcasters must pay fees to two Ministry-licensed collective management organizations, with rates varying by business type and music usage.

United Trademark & Patent Services celebrates its continued recognition in the IAM Patent 1000 guide, earning rankings as a Highly Recommended Firm in Pakistan and a leading firm in the UAE for patent prosecution, transactions, and litigation. The firm's leadership team, including Hasan Irfan Khan, Yawar Irfan Khan, Maria Farrukh Irfan Khan, and others, brings decades of combined expertise in patent law, enforcement, and strategic IP advisory across the Middle East and South Asia.

While franchise agreements are obvious examples of commercial agreement underpinned by trademark licenses, various other commercial agreements also contain or may contain detailed provisions...

As reported in the market updates section of this newsletter, the UAE Ministry of Economy recently reviewed the fees charged by its various departments, including the Trade Mark, Patent and Copyright Office.

Those familiar with the United Arab Emirates and specially Dubai are well aware of the importance of brands in the country.

On 7 October 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, enacted Dubai Law 14 of 2025 Regulating the Practice of Engineering Consultancy Activities...

Typeface disputes usually attract two different aspects of IP protection, that is, the protection granted to fonts / typeface and secondly...

With the increased usage of social media, companies and employers find themselves obliged to establish policies for employees to provide acceptable, reasonable, safe and common-sense guidelines and recommendations for using social media responsibly.

This article addresses the risk presented by non-use of registered trademarks and the importance of registering licences. It is written by IP specialist for Al Suwaidi & Company in Dubai - David Lant, a UK qualified solicitor.

The EIPA recently held in Dubai its sixth "Regional Intellectual Property Crime Conference in the Middle-East and North Africa", in cooperation with Interpol.

We have recently seen another influx of letters being sent to local UAE entities regarding the use of music, and in particular the collection of public performance royalties.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses and pay fees starting December 2026. This system aligns the UAE with international copyright standards and affects a wide range of establishments from restaurants and hotels to radio stations and airlines, with fees structured based on venue type, size, and usage.

Patents have played a significant role in the tremendous growth of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry.