01. Seek Professional Guidance:
Applying for a Geographical Indication is a complex process. We highly recommend that you reach out to an IP specialist who can help you through the process to increase the chance of your application being accepted.
02. Define your producer entity:
Only a legal entity, typically a cooperative, association or company, can apply for a GI. Confirm your entity’s structure, membership rules and governance so you can submit a valid application.
03. Scope & standards:
Decide exactly which product(s) and geographic boundaries you intend to cover and prepare clear quality standards or a product specification brief. Your dossier must demonstrate how each characteristic ties back to the defined region.
04. Budget for evidence & translations:
Gathering certified origin reports, maps, method descriptions and, where applicable, translated foreign registration certificates can incur costs. Plan for third-party certifications and official translations early in your process.
05. Understand the legal framework:
GIs are registered through the trademark system and follow the same procedures. They are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2021 and Cabinet Resolution No. (57) of 2022.
Using this pre-application checklist or see the steps below that you should take before moving into the application process
Please note, this checklist is not exhaustive and doesn't replace advice from IP experts.
01. Verify eligibility:
Ensure your proposed GI refers to a well-defined geographic area and that your product’s qualities, reputation or characteristics are intrinsically linked to that place. Avoid generic or misleading names and confirm there’s no conflict with existing or pending trademarks or GIs.
02. Prepare a clear description:
Your application must include a certified description covering the applicant’s name and legal form, the types of products to be protected, the proposed GI’s name and image, the unique qualities of the product tied to its origin, and the name of the body responsible for overseeing compliance with the GI standards.
03. Gather supporting documents:
In line with Article 23 of the Executive Regulations, you must submit a certified copy of the GI registration certificate from its home jurisdiction if it originates abroad, provide a notarised power of attorney when filing through an agent, and ensure all foreign-language documents are officially translated into Arabic within 90 days of your initial filing.
04. Look Through Application Form:
Familiarise yourself with the Ministry of Economy’s online GI application template, noting every required field, file-size limit and format specification to avoid technical rejections. Review documents you need.
Using this Pre-Application Checklist before applying for a Geographical Indication helps you understand the steps you should take before applying to register your mark, its market viability, and any legal considerations you may have to undertake. It's important to note that this checklist is not comprehensive and should not substitute advice from an IP Attorney.
Be distinctive:
Geographical Indications are used to identify and protect brands, ensuring that customers can easily recognize products they like and trust. This means that they need to be distinctive in relation to the goods and services.
For example, “Milk” is a type of dairy product so it cannot be used as a Geographical Indication for dairy goods as it won’t be distinctive enough from other dairy brands. However, “Milk” can be used as a brand for motor cars as it can be considered distinctive enough.
Language considerations:
In the UAE, Geographical Indications are registered per word, image, or any other type of identifier. If your brand name has marks for Arabic and English, these need to be registered separately. Take care to consider what best suits your business strategy and market needs.
Understand the nice classification system:
The UAE uses Nice Classification to separate goods and services into different categories. It is a widely recognized international system administered by WIPO for the purpose of Geographical Indication registration. Each application you make can only be filed with one classification. It is important to have a classification that best aligns with your business and strategy. The full list of classification may be found on WIPO.
In the UAE and other countries, if a registered mark is not used for a certain period (in the UAE 5 uninterrupted years) it can be canceled in full or in part. It is a case of "use it or lose it".
Avoid using city or country names in your Geographical Indication:
In the UAE, using a city or country’s name will lead to your application being rejected. For instance, the brand name “Dubai Toys” for a toy manufacturing company will likely lead to your Geographical Indication application being rejected. This would be the same for the names of any other city or country name.
A key activity you should undertake before starting your Geographical Indication application is searching for existing Geographical Indications.
The primary reason for this is to check that your mark is unique, and will not be infringing on any existing Geographical Indications. This includes your mark being too similar to others.
Find out more about where and how to search below:
Check different Geographical Indication dates to make sure your results are comprehensive. Explore MoEc, as well as WIPO and other databases. Doing a simple Google search can also help.
Here’s a straightforward guide to conducting a thorough and effective Geographical Indication search, ensuring you accurately navigate through existing Geographical Indications:
01. Define your brand’s identity:
Pinpoint what makes your brand unique—its name, logo, or slogan—and use this as your search foundation.
02. Goods or services of interest:
What are you looking to use the brand for in terms of products and or services, as this is important. If someone is using or has registered in a very different area, this may not necessarily be a blocker to your use.
03. Use keywords wisely:
Create a list of keywords related to your brand’s unique elements. Think of variations and synonyms for a comprehensive search.
04. Refine and filter:
Apply filters like Geographical Indication class, status, or owner to narrow down search results, making them more relevant to your brand.
05. Understand classification systems
Understand the classification system relevant to your brand to fine-tune your search. Search within your desired classification and any adjacent ones.
06. Explore beyond Geographical Indications:
Expand your search to include online databases, social media, and domain names to uncover any unregistered but potentially conflicting Geographical Indications.
07. Consult an IP attorney:
Considering the complexity of Geographical Indications, consulting with an IP attorney can provide invaluable insights and guidance, ensuring your brand is well-protected.
08. Keep records:
Document all your search efforts, including keywords used and potential conflicts identified. This will be crucial for your Geographical Indication application and future reference.
While a search may result in you having to consider an alternative brand, it will be more cost-effective and less damaging to your business to move to an alternative brand before launching, than afterwards.
Searching existing Geographical Indications can be a difficult task to undertake. IP Attorneys have training and experience to conduct the search process well.
Look through our UAE IP Attorney Register to find the most suitable one for you. Seeking legal support at the early phases of your IP journey will only streamline the process and decrease the chances of your application being refused.
Getting through the Geographical Indication application process needs careful attention and following specific rules from MoEc or DED. Make the process easier by gathering and submitting the necessary documents.
You can find a list of important documents, in the form of a checklist, for a successful Geographical Indication application by clicking the link below:
Note: All documents must be submitted in both Arabic and English - However, Arabic translations can be filed up to 90 days after initial submission in English.
Below are the steps, timelines, and expenses associated with Geographical Indication applications. The process is segmented into Pre-Application, Application, and Post Application phases, with varying durations and costs based on your idea's complexity, application quality, and chosen support level.
