UAE Opposition Practice and Procedure

Newly appointed Hearings Officer, but same procedural traps exist The UAE Trade Marks Office ("TMO") has recently appointed a new official to decide opposition cases. This is welcome news.

However, those unfamiliar with opposition proceedings in the UAE may find the absence of regulated structure difficult to negotiate. Many of the procedures originate from the customary practice of the TMO, rather than from a clearly defined legislative framework.

1 New Hearings Officer

The TMO recently appointed a new Hearings Officer to hear trade mark oppositions and to manage the conduct of opposition proceedings.

For approximately six months prior to the new appointment, the TMO did not have a person responsible for the conduct of opposition proceedings. The new Hearings Officer therefore faces a backlog of cases that are awaiting a hearing date. Practitioners are also waiting to receive decisions on numerous oppositions that were heard over the previous three years.