The UAE and IP Globally
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for Intellectual Property services, policy, information, and cooperation. WIPO is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. WIPO headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. The UAE joined WIPO in 1974 when the country became a contracting party of the WIPO Convention.
WIPO Treaties
WIPO administers 26 international treaties, whereof the UAE is a contracting party of 13. The dates refer to the respective date when the treaty came into force for the UAE.
- WIPO Convention, in force September 24, 1974: Constituent instrument of the World Intellectual Property Organization
- Paris Convention, in force September 19, 1996: International agreement, adopted 1883, to protect intellectual works in other countries
- Patent Cooperation Treaty, in force March 10, 1999: (PCT) Seek protection simultaneously in many countries by filing an "international" patent application
- Berne Convention, in force July 14, 2004: Copyright
- Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, in force April 28, 2020
- Madrid Protocol, in force December 28, 2021: International registration of marks
- Strasbourg Agreement, in force February 17, 2022: International Patent Classification (IPC)
- Nice Agreement, in force April 18, 2022: Trademark classification of goods and services
More treaties: WIPO Copyright Treaty, Rome Convention, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), Marrakesh VIP Treaty, Budapest Treaty
WIPO Reports
WIPO provides IP-related services, news, training, case studies, and more. Several reports are issued, including:
- WIPO Technology Trends: Track technology trends through the analysis of patent and other data to provide solid, factual evidence on innovation in specific fields.
- Patent Landscape Reports: Snapshot of the patent situation of a specific technology, either within a given country or region, or globally to inform policy discussions, strategic research planning or technology transfer.
- Global Innovation Index: (GII) ranks the innovation performance of around 132 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses; it comprises around 80 indicators, including measures on the political environment, education, infrastructure, and knowledge creation of each economy.
- World Intellectual Property Report: Insights into the role of innovation in market economies, fostering evidence-based policymaking are published every two years published.
WIPO Country Information
Country information is collected and provided for the contracting states. You can find legal information, statistics, the National IP Office's contact information, and more. See the UAE profile as an example.
IP in the UAE
While AD.iP creates and promotes a world-class Intellectual Property regime for all researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and companies to generate, innovate, and commercialise ideas and technological advancements, the Ministry of Economy is the authority to register and protect IP in the UAE. It acts as the UAE Intellectual Property Office with the following departments.
- Innovation Development and Industrial Property Department
- Trademarks Department
- Copyright and Related Rights Department
Several e-services are available. If you are not familiar with the Ministry of Economy's IP procedures, the guidance provided on AD.iP's website will help you.
IP legislation can be accessed online:
- Industrial Property Rights: Patents, Utility Certificates, Industrial Designs
- Trademarks
- Copyright
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