We are pleased to share an important update on trade mark practice in the
United Arab Emirates, which may be of particular interest if you hold, or
are seeking to protect, brands in the alcoholic beverages sector.

What's changed?

The UAE Ministry of Economy has historically refused trade mark applications under Class 33 (alcoholic beverages), reflecting the prohibition on such products under local law and prevailing cultural norms. International registrations designating the UAE under Class 33 were consistently refused on the same basis. This position has now changed. The Ministry's online filing portal has been updated to accept new applications under Class 33. Following our own verification, we can confirm that Class 33 is now open and available for new filings in the UAE.

What we know so far:

• No official memorandum or circular has yet been issued by the Ministry confirming this change.
• We are actively seeking formal clarification from the relevant authorities and will issue a further update once this is available.

Why this matters:

We have received a number of enquiries across our network regarding Class 33 protection in the UAE. This development may offer a timely opportunity to revisit the question of trade mark filings for alcoholic beverage brands in the UAE.

Get in touch

If you would like to discuss filing strategy for your brands in the UAE, our team is ready to assist.