Before using well-known names for any business purposes, additional clarification is required:

• Does a valid trademark protection already exist for the UAE?

• Is the name globally or at least outside the UAE so well-known that an additional protection in the UAE is not possible without the authorisation of the trademark owner? The UAE trademark jurisdiction includes provisions for such well-known trademarks. You may not be able to register yourself a trademark for the UAE even if it was not already registered by another party.

• An Internet search to understand if a name is already used in the general public and in which way. Do many people already know the name and connect it with certain products, brands, or services?

• A trademark search using TMview. Do you already see a protection of the name you have in mind? If so, professional support for clarification is advised.

• If a trademark is well-known and the name is not available for your own registration anymore in a straightforward manner, always require professional advice. 

• First clarifications support a certain understanding but do not allow any conclusions. Therefore, good advice from a local trademark attorney is advised before trying to register your own trademark and use the name for any business purposes. Find IP service providers here.