The UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced on Tuesday a significant reduction in trademark fees, offering a 50 percent discount for members of its National SME Programme. This move aims to support entrepreneurs, encourage business growth, and boost the country’s attractiveness to global investors.
Fee Exemptions and New Pricing Structure
The ministry also declared that people of determination will be fully exempt from trademark service fees. The revised fee structure covers 28 trademark-related services, including fee adjustments and the introduction of new service categories.
Among the key changes, the fee for submitting a grievance against a decision to dismiss an objection has been cut to AED 3,750 from AED 7,000. Filing an infringement complaint now costs AED 2,250, while the fee for grievances from the opposing party in such objections stands at AED 7,500.
Trademark fees are charged per category, meaning a single-category application incurs one fee, while multiple categories attract separate fees even if submitted together.
Ministry Highlights Benefits for Investors and SMEs
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized that these adjustments will enhance the UAE’s appeal to international investors and support SME owners and people of determination. “This decision will strengthen the UAE’s position as a competitive market for businesses,” he said.
The National SME Programme aims to assist UAE entrepreneurs by providing strategic support and fostering sustainable business growth through collaboration with stakeholders.
Eligibility and Impact on Trademark Registrations
Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector, confirmed that any company registered under the National SME Programme qualifies for the 50 percent fee discount. “This initiative will encourage more trademark registrations, enriching our national database,” he added.
Introduction of New Trademark Services
The ministry also introduced seven new trademark services, including:
- Registration of geographical indications at AED 6,500
- One-day trademark examination at AED 2,250
- Grievance against trademark cancellation at AED 5,000
- Conversion of national trademarks to international at AED 400
- Trademark agent registration renewal for foreign branches at AED 7,500
- Grievance against trademark registration refusal at AED 5,000
- Examination and study of claims at AED 2,250
Updated Renewal Fees and Continued Innovation
Fees for trademark renewal services were consolidated as follows:
- Renewal during the final protection year: AED 5,750
- Renewal within six months after expiry: AED 6,500
- Renewal of monitoring and inspection marks during final year: AED 8,250
- Renewal of monitoring and inspection marks within six months after expiry: AED 9,750
Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, highlighted recent initiatives to drive innovation, including the establishment of a Geographical Indications system for national products, joining the Madrid Protocol to help SMEs expand internationally, and the ‘One Day TM Initiative’ to speed up trademark registrations.
Trademark Registrations Surge in 2025
Minister Abdulla Al Marri noted impressive growth in trademark activity, with 19,957 national and international trademarks registered in the first half of 2025—more than double the 8,711 registrations in the same period last year. The total number of registered trademarks in the UAE reached 402,311 by the end of September 2025.
