DUBAI - Dubai Customs (DC) has urged brand owners to register their trademarks at the Department as soon as possible in order to ensure the protection of their rights from counterfeiting and fraud. This comes in a bid to combat illegal trade, prevent its risks, preserve the national economy and encourage investment in Dubai.

“637 brands have been registered at DC up to this date; however, the total number of trademark registered at the Ministry of Economy is currently 60 thousand," Senior Manager of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) Department at Dubai Customs Yousuf Ozair stated.

He urged trademark owners to hurry in registering at Dubai Customs to secure their legal rights.

“The Intellectual Property Rights Department at Dubai Customs has launched Recording Trademarks policy number 2006/DCP/11 which was adopted on November 6, 2006,” he said.

“Law firms and brand owners have been officially informed about the regulations and documents required for filing a brand infringement complaint as well as the administrative fees for opening a brand monitoring file for the brands that are registered in the country," Ozair continued.

After being registered at the Ministry of Economy, trademarks are recorded at DC by the owner, the agent or the legal representative in the country. Such procedure entails submitting an official complaint by a law firm or the trademark owner who will have to provide a Dubai Customs' Trademark Record for the brand after it has been registered in the Ministry of Economy.

Prior to filing a complaint against counterfeit and suspicious goods, law offices and trademarks owners are requested to present Dubai Customs' Trademark Record after it is recorded in the Ministry of Economy.

The Trademark Record system is circulated to all customs centers to facilitate the identification of the trademark owner by inspection sections in order to accelerate the decision-making process while seizing the suspected goods.

Ozair said that there are required documents and fees on Recording Trademarks which are:

1. A copy of the Recording Trademarks certificate that is alleged to be violated.
2. An accredited and translated Power of Attorney that is well-documented.
3. AED 200 is paid as fees for Recording Trademarks, a trademark on each category.

As for the required documents and fees for opening a complaint file in case of trademark infringement, IPRs Senior Manager stated that:

1. An official written complaint must be issued during the working hours by the trademark owner or the legal representative (in Arabic or in a properly translated version).

2. A valid copy of the Trademark Record certificate that is alleged to be violated.

3. A copy of the well-translated and accredited Power of Attorney.

4. A written Undertaken of paying inspection and storing expenses or any delays resulting from the complaint.

5. When filing an official complaint for trademark infringement, AED 2000 is charged to cover the expenses of inspecting, transferring and following-up.

6. AED 5000 is collected as a guarantee and it is refundable in case complaint was correct.

7. In case of filing urgent complaint an additional AED 500 is paid.

8. In case of complaints issued during official holidays, AED 1000 is charged.