Intellectual properties (“IP”) are creations of the mind, which may have an intangible characteristic. They include literary work, music, designs, symbols, and inventions. Patents are inventions that are registered after undergoing an examination process. Patents include new technologies, devices, medical substances, and much more. Once an invention is patented, the inventor is granted exclusive rights to use, sell, or license their invention for a set period of time. Copyrights include the registration of original work by allowing the copyright owner to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, and create derivative works based on the original. Trademarks distinguish goods and services from one trade to another by registering their identifying name and/or symbol. Intellectual property also includes trade secrets, geographical indications, and industrial designs.
In the UAE, intellectual properties are protected by Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks and Federal Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights. Here are a few reasons why it is important to protect intellectual property in Dubai.
1. Safeguard Creations
Strong legislations to register intellectual properties, and laws against breach of these rights help in safeguarding intellectual properties belonging to individuals and businesses. Intellectual property law firms in Dubai not only help individuals and businesses register their creations and inventions, but they also provide representation to these entities, when their creations or inventions are misused or stolen, or when their intellectual property rights are breached by a third party.
2. Prevent Imitations and protect Goodwill
Protecting intellectual properties can lead to the prevention of imitations, which are sometimes of a lower quality, thus undermining the trust in the product. Every brand works towards preserving the quality of its products or services, by consistently working towards customer interests. Overtime, these brands gather a level of goodwill among its clients who always choose the brand over other options in the market, due to their trust in its products. If an unknown entity tries to sell their products under the name of a popular brand, without giving the same quality of products or services, it will gravely affect the goodwill or the popularity of the brand. Thus, intellectual property lawyers help protect brand identity through trademark registrations, and also by protecting trade secrets.
3. Promote healthy competition
Protection of intellectual property can promote healthy competition as it creates a level playing field for all individuals. Patenting and IP registration processes in Dubai are easy, straightforward, and accessible to all individuals and businesses. Entities can approach any intellectual property lawyer to obtain help with the registration or patenting process.
4. Incentivize Innovation
Registering intellectual properties in a way where the owner of the IP rights can reproduce, use, sell, rent, or distribute the patent or copyrighted work, will incentivize entities to work towards creating more original works. This will lead to greater advancement in science, technology, medicine and other fields.
Conclusion
The Dubai government takes active steps in promoting and assisting innovation in all sectors including science, technology, real estate, healthcare and more. The UAE laws with relation to trademarks and copyrights is a big step towards the same. The legislation and various other government policies have resulted in turning the emirate into an attractive destination for global investors, further enhancing the position of innovators in the region.
