UAE joins Madrid Protocol

On September 28, 2021, the Government of the United Arab Emirates submitted to the Director General of WIPO an instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol will enter into force for the United Arab Emirates on December 28, 2021. By signing the instrument of accession, the UAE becomes the 109th member of the Madrid System, which currently covers 125 countries.

Foreign applicants will also be able to obtain protection for their trademarks by designating the UAE in their Madrid application along with other member countries. As of December 28, 2021, using WIPO's online system, foreign companies and intellectual property owners can extend the protection of their trademarks through the Madrid system to include the UAE. The UAE's accession to the Madrid Protocol is a positive step in promoting trade cooperation between countries and offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for trademark owners in the Middle East region and worldwide.