UAE Trademark Search to Protect Your Brand

Trademark Search UAE: How to Verify Your Brand & Prevent Conflicts

Starting a business in the UAE is a profitable opportunity and also a challenging experience. Before investing your time and money into building your business. The last step is a trademark search in the UAE. A trademark search helps ensure that your brand name, logo, or slogan is not being used or registered by another company. In this blog, we will provide you with information about trademark search UAE. 

Thousands of start-ups make their entry every year in the UAE, which is a tough environment for business. To avoid any legal troubles, it is better to carry out a trademark search that will protect you from them. It helps confirm your unique brand identity and that it can legally be registered. In other terms, a trademark search is essentially a background check on your business name, and it’s a necessity for any new entrepreneur.

What Is a Trademark?

A trademark serves as an identifier for your product or service in the form of a name, word, logo, or symbol. It is the means through which your customers recognize and trust your company. For instance, a logo or slogan might be seen, and the brand immediately identified. This is the strength of a trademark.

Trademarks are protected under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 in the UAE. It gives the owner exclusive rights to use the name or logo. After registration, nobody can use or copy your trademark without your authorization. Trademarks may be registered for:

• Business names
• Product logos and symbols
• Taglines or slogans
• Icons or designs

Importance of a Trademark Search in the UAE

Many entrepreneurs bypass the trademark search altogether and go straight to registration. That’s a major mistake. Here is why it is important to do a trademark search in the UAE:

1.Avoid Legal Problems

If the name of your brand is similar to the other registered name. Then you can get into legal problems. A trademark search can help prevent problems like this. 

2. Provide Uniqueness 

You want your brand to be unique. A trademark search can show the results about the name, logo, or slogan that is similar to yours. 

3. Save Your Time and Money

When you file for a trademark and it turns out you have a similar one, it is going to get rejected. You can avoid the waste and money if you perform a search first.

4. Safeguard Your Brand Reputation

A registered and verified trademark can build trust in consumers. Additionally, the people will not copy your product.

5. Streamlined Registration

Your application is more likely to get approved by the Ministry of Economy if you don’t have any trademarks already filed that are similar.

How to Do a Trademark Search in the UAE

A trademark search in the UAE is done by the Ministry of Economy. This is the authority responsible for all trademark registrations. Here is a simple process:

Step 1: Determine What to Register

You have to identify what it is you would like to protect, and you can register your business name, logo, or tagline. 

Step 2: Select the Correct Class

Trademarks are divided into 45 different classes. It is also based on the kind of goods or services they protect. For example:

•  Class 25: Clothing
•  Class 30: Food and Drinks
•  Class 41: Education and Training

Step 3: Do a Trademark Database Search

You should look up potential existing trademarks with the Ministry of Economy's database. Enter your name, a word or logo description, and search for identical or similar trademarks. 

Step 4: Evaluate Results

If the search shows trademarks that look or sound similar to the name you would like to use. Then you can modify or change your name. Any small similarity, such as a couple of letters, can reject your trademark application. 

Step 5: Get Professional Assistance

It is difficult to understand the trademark search results. Experts like Flyingcolour Business Setup can help you understand the search results, if applicable, provide you with other safe options, and confirm that your trademark is not confusingly similar to existing registered trademarks and that you are ready to register your trademark. 

Typical Errors when Conducting a Trademark Search

1. Only Checking Exact Match: Similar-sounding names can be refused even if spelled differently, so always check for similar names/words/logos.
2. Ignoring Trademark Class: If you choose the wrong trademark class, then it can limit your protection against a later registering party. You should choose the right category for your business.
3. Not Running an Updated Search: Trademarks are registered daily. Always run an updated search before you submit your application.
4. Not Getting Help: It may appear to be straightforward to do on your own, but getting help will eliminate small mistakes that will get you rejected.

What is The Process of Trademark Registration in the UAE

When you have completed your trademark search then make sure that your brand is distinct, and you can continue through the registration process. The registration process is as follows:

Step 1: Submission of application

You will need to submit an application to the Ministry of Economy in the UAE. The application includes:

• Trademark name or logo
• Class number
• Applicant information
• A copy of the trade license
• Logo image (if applicable)

Step 2: Review and Examination

The Ministry of Economy examines the application filed by you. The purpose is to find out if it adheres to the rules and standards of the UAE trademarks. You also have to check if there is no conflict with an already existing trademark.

Step 2: Application Review

The Ministry of Economy will check your application. If your application is reliable according to the trademark laws, then you can proceed further. 

Step 3: Public Announcement

If your application is approved, your trademark will be published in the UAE Official Gazette and two local newspapers. This gives the public 30 days to raise any concerns or feedback.

Stage 4: Registration and Certificate

If no issues are raised by anybody. Your trademark can be registered with the Ministry. You will get a trademark certificate, which is valid for 10 years.

Advantages of Trademark Registration in the UAE

1. Exclusive Rights

When you register your trademark, that means you are a lawful owner of the brand name, logo, or slogan. This means that a brand name, logo, or slogan that is similar to yours cannot be used, sold, or registered by anyone else for the same kind of product or service. This grants you the right to determine how your brand is used in the market and will protect your investment and creativity under the law.

2. Protection of the Business' Brand

A registered trademark protects your business against copying or misuse. In a competitive market such as the UAE, where businesses work in similar industries, having a registered trademark means that your brand identity cannot be copied or exploited by someone else. You have the legal right to pursue anyone trying to use your brand or business’s name or logo without your permission.

3. Trust and Recognition from Customers

Customers always select a company or a brand that is registered. A registered trademark will build customer trust. When someone sees your logo or brand name, they know they are dealing with a real company that cares about quality and credibility.

4. Business Development and Growth

Having a registered trademark helps you to develop your operations. If you want to offer a franchise of your brand or expand your business with partners, or even enter different markets. With a registered trademark, you can handle every transaction securely. Registered trademarks ensure that the identity of your brand is protected.

5. Brand Value That Lasts

A trademark is more than a name; it is an asset. The combined growth of your trademark will yield a valuable asset in due time. You can license it, sell it, or attract investment. Long-term, it is likely to be one of the most valuable elements of your business as you create meaningful and lasting success and recognition in the UAE and abroad.

Flyingcolour Business Setup: Your Trademark Associate in the UAE

During the process of conducting a trademark search and registering it, Flyingcolour Business Setup is the most reliable in the UAE. We have been active for more than 20+ years in the process and have become the most reliable partner for new businesses, SMEs, and foreign investors to protect their brands efficiently.

Here is how we can add value to your business:

1. Deep Trademark Search: We will do a comprehensive search in the UAE official database to make sure that your trade name and logo is unique. 
2. Legal and Technical Assistance: Our professional team will help you to perform trademark searches and provide guidance on trademark classification.
3. Documentation and Filing: We complete the preparation of the necessary documents and apply for approval. Our experts will communicate with the Ministry of the Economy.
4. Proper Follow-ups: We provide a seamless experience from the moment the application is submitted to the time of final approval.  Our team will take care of the process so you receive your trademark without any issue.

Conclusion

In the UAE, a trademark search is not merely a legal procedure; it is indeed a smart choice from a business perspective. It certifies your brand’s uniqueness, its legal protection, and it's ready for expansion in a market that is already filled with competition. By confirming your brand name thoroughly beforehand, you can not only avoid legal disputes or other problems but also set up your business in a way that it can grow the most.

We will assist you through a trademark search and registration. We will manage our professionals, and we will start the process from the verification of the brand's availability and end with your certificate. It means you can develop your brand with no worries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a trademark search?

A trademark search can help you to know that your brand name or logo is not registered by another company.

2. In how many days can I get a trademark in the UAE?

The trademark registration process takes 4 to 6 months. The time also depends on the time taken for approval and publication.

3. What is the duration of a trademark in the UAE?

A trademark is valid for 10 years. After 10 years, you can renew your trademark.

4. How does Flyingcolour® assist with a trademark registration?

We will take care of everything from the searching, the filing, the follow-ups, and certification.

Therefore, to learn more about Trademark Search UAE to protect your brand, Book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour Business Setup team advisors.

The article was published on 29/10/2025. It is important to note that the federal policies and updates mentioned may have changed since then. For the most current information, please contact our consultant!