United Arab Emirates - Jurisdiction Review

Taylor Wessing

Firm overview

Taylor Wessing has one of the strongest and largest IP teams in Europe and internationally. With more than 200 professionals across Europe alone, the size and scale of our practice means we rarely deal with issues that we have not come across before. What makes us unusual is that we are highly-rated across all IP specialisms. This includes patents; brands and trade marks; copyright; designs; domain names and e-commerce; media law and reputation management, advertising and sponsorship, franchising and broadcasting.

We advise on matters throughout the IP lifecycle from development of IP protection strategies; filing and portfolio management through to maximising value by licensing; and when matters become contentious, protecting your assets through litigation in the courts.

All of our teams are technically excellent and many members have previously worked in-house, giving us a deep understanding of our clients’ needs and issues.

Saba IP

Firm overview

Founded in 1926, Saba IP leads the MENA region's IP landscape with tailored services and a commitment to future industries. Our 15 offices strategically situated across MENA enable us to deliver unmatched expertise and support.

With over 350 professionals, including lawyers, patent attorneys, engineers, and IP experts, we serve a diverse clientele. From trademarks, designs, copyrights, and patents to enforcement and anti-counterfeiting measures, we offer a comprehensive spectrum of IP services. Our approach aligns seamlessly with clients' business strategies, reinforcing our role as partners rather than mere practitioners.

Our dedication to client satisfaction and forward-looking innovation sets us apart. From trademark protection in luxury and consumer sectors to patent procurement in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, electronics, and more, our team excels. We handle everything from patentability assessments to filing strategies while staying compliant with local patent requirements.

Simmons & Simmons

Firm overview

The Simmons & Simmons international IP team offers the specialist expertise of a boutique IP practice complemented by the full service offering of a major international firm. We are well known in the market for our high-calibre clients and involvement in many of the leading IP cases and transactions, both in the UK and internationally.

Our IP practice, comprising litigation, prosecution and transactional expertise, for both brands/trade mark and patents matters, is one of the only international firms that provide the full suite of IP services from one trusted source – a significant differentiator in the legal market.

We boast an extremely deep and strong bench. Consisting of over 100 fee earners internationally, our IP team has a presence across EMEA (in Belgium, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, The Netherlands), the UK and Asia.

Known for our expertise in the life sciences, fintech and technology sectors, we leverage our in-depth industry knowledge developed over our 120+ year history to provide the best advice to the most sophisticated clients. The majority of our patent litigators, attorneys and transactional IP lawyers have technical backgrounds, including advanced degrees and scientific research experience, giving our clients the advantage of market leading legal advisors who also understand their complex and cutting-edge inventions.

Al-Ajaleen Law & Intellectual Property

Firm overview

IP STARS Reviews

Abion

Abion expanded its global presence by opening a new office in Dubai in January 2024. This significant milestone was achieved by practitioners who moved from the market-leading practice of Clyde & Co. to establish the UAE office for Abion. The team brings over 30 years of combined experience in the intellectual property (IP) field, having worked with some of the largest global brand owners 

Notable practitioners: Mark Devaney, Nicole Giblin and Farid El Hares.

Al-Ajaleen Law & Intellectual Property

Al-Ajaleen Law Firm is a leading intellectual property (IP) law firm in the Gulf region, specializing in trademark registration, patent protection, and IP legal services. The firm has built a reputation for providing comprehensive legal and IP services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients.

Notable practitioners: Abdullah Al-Ajaleen

The head of the IP practice at Al-Ajaleen Law Firm is Mr. Abdullah Al-Ajaleen.

Alem & Associates

Alem & Associates is a prominent law firm known for its expertise in intellectual property (IP) law. The firm provides high-end advice for IP strategies, including the registration, protection, promotion, transfer, and licensing of IP rights. Their services encompass patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, as well as handling counterfeiting, unfair competition, misappropriation, and infringement cases. The regional practice specialises in franchising, media, entertainment, and intellectual property.

Notable practitioners: Leila Laila

Audiri Vox

Audiri Vox is a sixth-generation law practice specializing in the registration, protection, and divestiture of intellectual property (IP) rights globally.

The firm has offices in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, acting as a one-stop shop for brand owners to secure trademark, copyright, patent, and design rights in over 50 jurisdictions. Audiri Vox provides commerce-centric advice to ensure cost-efficiency, minimal objections, speedy registration, and enforcement of IP rights. The services include clearing, filing, prosecution, registration, divestiture, enforcement, franchising, and licensing of IP rights.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird's UAE office is known for its strong intellectual property (IP) practice, providing a wide array of services including patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright protection, and IP litigation. The firm has been operating in the UAE for almost 20 years, and its team is recognized for handling some of the largest and most significant IP projects in the region.

Notable practitioners: Melissa Murray

The head of the IP practice at Bird & Bird in the UAE is Melissa Murray.

BSA Law

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP has a well-regarded intellectual property (IP) practice that provides a comprehensive range of services, including trademark prosecution, patent protection, copyright issues, trade secrets, and domain name disputes. The firm is known for its strategic approach, offering tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients across various industries such as media, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors.

Notable practitioners: Felicity Hammond

The head of the IP practice at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates is Felicity Hammond .

Clyde & Co

Clyde & Co's UAE office is renowned for its robust intellectual property (IP) practice, offering a wide range of services including patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright protection, and IP litigation. The firm has been operating in the UAE for almost 20 years and is recognized for handling some of the largest and most significant IP projects in the region.

Notable practitioners: Joycia Young

The head of the IP practice at Clyde & Co in the UAE is Joycia Young. 

CWB

CWB (Cedar White Bradley) is a leading intellectual property consultancy firm based in the UAE, specializing in IP services across the Middle East and North Africa. They assist clients ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations in obtaining, managing, protecting, enforcing, and commercializing their intellectual property.

Notable practitioners: Cameron Crawford and Theuns van de Merwe

The heads of the IP practice at CWB in the UAE are Cameron Crawford and Theuns van de Merwe.

Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG is a prominent international law firm with a strong presence in the UAE, offering comprehensive intellectual property (IP) services. Their UAE IP practice is renowned for managing and developing large and complex IP portfolios, providing expert commercial IP advice, and offering litigation and enforcement services across the MENA region.

Notable practitioners: Jon Parker.

The head of the IP practice in the UAE is Jon Parker.

JAH Intellectual Property

JAH Intellectual Property is a specialized intellectual property law firm based in the UAE, providing a wide range of IP services across the Middle East and Africa. Established in 1999, JAH & Co. IP focuses on delivering high-quality, prompt, and precise services tailored to meet the needs of their clients. Their services include searches, registrations, renewals, records, due diligence, anti-counterfeiting, litigation.

Notable practitioners: Soufiene Mejri and Abdellatif Ait Aazi

Marks N Brands Intellectual Property

Marks N Brands Intellectual Property is a leading IP services firm based in Dubai, UAE. They specialize in handling all aspects of intellectual property rights, including the selection, registration, protection, and maintenance of trademarks, industrial designs, patents, and copyrights across the Middle East.

Notable practitioners:  Marshall Velle

The head of IP at Marks N Brands is Marshall Velle.

One World Intellectual Property

One World Intellectual Property is a leading IP firm in the Middle East and North Africa, with over 40 years of experience and 19 offices across the region. OWIP provides a comprehensive range of services, including trademark and patent registration, brand protection, market research, customs recordals, litigation support.

Notable practitioners:  Mohannad AlKharouf

Rouse

Rouse is a prominent international IP firm with a strong presence across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The firm is recommended for IP protection and disputes work.

Notable practitioners: Bassel El Turk and Sara Holder.

Bassel EL Turk now serves as the managing partner for the MEA region.

Saba IP

Saba & Co. Intellectual Property is a prominent IP firm operating across the Middle East and Africa. With a strong regional presence, Saba IP offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to protect and manage intellectual property assets. Their expertise spans trademark and patent registration, IP enforcement, litigation, and strategic advisory services.

Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is a well-regarded international law firm with a strong IP practice in the UAE. Their IP team provides comprehensive services, including trademark and patent registration, brand protection, market research, customs records, and litigation support.

Taylor Wessing is known for its high-profile work in the IP and technology sectors, serving clients from various industries such as venture capital, private wealth, and media.

Notable practitioners: Munir Suboh

United Trademark & Patent Services

United Trademark & Patent Services (UTMPS) is a distinguished IP firm with a strong presence in the UAE and across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. They offer a comprehensive range of IP services, including trademark and patent registration, copyright protection, industrial design, trade dress, trade secrets, geographical indications, domain names, litigation, anti-counterfeiting, and legal translation. 

Notable practitioners: Maria Farrukh Irfan Khan and Nevin Jacob Koshy

The heads of IP at United Trademark and Patent Services are Maria Farrukh Irfan Khan and Nevin Jacob Koshy.