Patent protection in the UAE safeguards your invention by granting exclusive rights through the UAE patent office at the Ministry of Economy. Whether you’re an inventor wanting to register a patent or a company filing a patent application in the UAE, understanding the patent registration process is essential. A patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date and lets you prevent others from exploiting your innovative idea.
Your application goes through substantive examination to ensure it is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable before patent rights are granted. You must also manage examination fees, annual maintenance fees, and meet novelty requirements.
RIZ&MONA Consultancy helps inventors and businesses with UAE patent registration and intellectual property services, making complex patent law and procedures easier to navigate.
Legal Framework For Patent Registration in the UAE
Patent law in the United Arab Emirates is governed by Federal Law No. 11 of 2021 on the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property. This replaced Federal Law No. 17 of 2002, strengthening industrial property rights including patents, utility certificates, and industrial designs.
Filing Routes and Options
Choosing the right route ensures efficient protection of your invention in the United Arab Emirates.
- File directly with the UAE Ministry of Economy.
- Timeline: Standard process (~48–52 months).
- Cost: AED 1,000–2,000 filing fee plus examination and maintenance fees.
- Best for UAE-only protection.
- File a single international patent application with WIPO.
- Enter UAE national phase within 30 months from priority date.
- Delays national costs and provides an international search report.
- Translation into Arabic/English required at entry.
- Claim priority from an earlier application in any member country within 12 months.
- Enables an earlier filing date in the UAE.
- Separate national filings still required.
GCC Patent Office currently not accepting new applications for the UAE.
- Monitor for future reopening; otherwise use national route.
| Route | Entry Deadline | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Direct National Filing | Immediate | Simplest, lowest initial cost |
| PCT | 30 months from priority date | International option, delayed costs |
| Paris Convention Priority | 12 months from first filing | Early filing date, flexibility |
| GCC Patent System | N/A (suspended) | Regional protection (pending) |
Selecting the optimal route depends on your budget, markets, and commercialization strategy.
Steps to Register a Patent in the UAE
Pre-Filing Preparation
Before filing a patent application, conduct a thorough prior art search to assess if your invention is truly novel. This helps determine whether your patent application meets the basic requirements.
Document Preparation
A patent application can be submitted online through the Ministry of Economy portal. Required documents include:
- Patent specification (Arabic and English)
- Detailed description of the invention
- Claims defining protection scope
- Abstract (maximum 500 words)
- Drawings or diagrams (if applicable)
Within 90 days of the date of filing, you must submit:
-
- Power of Attorney (notarized)
- Deed of Assignment (if applicant is not the inventor)
- Extract from the commercial register (for companies)
- Priority documents (if claiming priority)
Filing and Fees Payment
At the time of filing, pay filing fees:
- Individuals: AED 1,000
- Companies: AED 2,000
- SMEs and Academic Institutions: AED 1,000 (50% discount)
The date of filing establishes your priority and determines when your patent is valid for 20 years.
Formal Examination
The UAE patent office conducts a formal examination to verify administrative compliance. Timeline: Approximately 7 months from filing.
Examination Fee Payment
After formal examination, you receive a notification to pay examination fees. Fees must be paid within 90 days of notification:
- First examination: AED 7,000
The date of paying examination fees is critical – you have examination fees until the date specified to avoid abandonment.
Substantive Examination
The UAE patent office examines your application for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. This examination occurs with KIPO assistance.
Timeline: Approximately 42 months from the date of paying examination fees until the date of receiving the examination results. You then have 90 days to submit responses to any office actions.
Publication
If examination is successful and the patent office examines your application favorably, it’s published in the Official Gazette. Third parties have 90 days to file oppositions.
Patent Grant
If no opposition is filed or objections are resolved, the granted patent certificate is issued. Your patent is granted and registered in the UAE.
Complete Timeline
- Filing to formal examination: 7 months
- Notification to examination fee payment: 90 days deadline
- Examination fee payment to receiving the examination results: 42 months
- Publication to grant: 3 months
- Total: Approximately 48-52 months from filing to grant
Expedited options reduce this to 3-6 months for Green IP applications or 6-12 months through the USPTO partnership program
What Can Be Patented in the UAE?
For a patent to be granted in the UAE, your invention must meet three core requirements:
Costs and Fees of the UAE Patent Registration
Understanding official fees associated with filing a patent in the UAE helps you budget effectively.
Patent Fee Structure (2024)
| Fee Type | Amount (AED) | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fees | 1,000 (individuals) / 2,000 (companies) | At time of filing |
| Examination Fees | 7,000 (first exam) | Within 90 days of notification |
| Annual Maintenance Fees | 30,000-50,000 total | Yearly (starting Year 2) |
Payment Rules
Fees must be paid on time:
- Examination fees: The date of paying examination fees triggers the 42-month examination period
- Annual maintenance fees: Due January-March each year
- Late payment grace period: 6 months (with surcharges)
If fees are not paid within grace period, your patent may lapse permanently.
Fee Reductions
- Students under 21: Zero cost
- SMEs/Academic institutions: 50% discount
Total 20-year investment: AED 60,000-110,000 (including professional services)
FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can foreign applicants file directly in the UAE?
No, foreign applicants must appoint a registered UAE patent agent or patent attorney to file and represent them before the Ministry of Economy.
How does the 12-month grace period work?
If your invention is publicly disclosed, you have up to 12 months to file a UAE patent application without losing novelty. This provision is unique to the UAE.
What if the applicant is not the inventor?
A notarized Deed of Assignment must be submitted within 90 days of filing, signed by both the inventor and the applicant.
What is the Green IP Fast-Track?
The Green IP Fast-Track grants eco-technology patents in 3-6 months, with zero cost for students under 21 and 50% fee reduction for SMEs.
What happens during the opposition period?
After publication, others have 90 days to object to your application. You can respond to oppositions before the Ministry decides on granting.
Can I patent a computer program or app?
Generally, no. However, software with a technical effect or claimed as part of a system may qualify. Copyright protection applies to software code.
