Middle East: Intellectual Property

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Intellectual property law and copyright law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as licensing and syndication, patent law, trade secrets and trademark law.
Article
Saudi Arabia Copyright Law Implementing Regulations: Key Clarifications And Remaining Questions
Saudi Arabia's new Copyright Law Implementing Regulations, published on 31 July 2026, provide crucial clarity on neighbouring rights, online enforcement mechanisms, software licensing terms, AI training exceptions, and border enforcement procedures. While resolving many practical questions for rights holders and businesses, the framework leaves certain areas—including AI-generated content ownership and collective management society governance—open for future development.
Saudi Arabia IP
GW
Gowling WLG
Article
New UAE Commercial Fraud Regulations Strengthen Brand Protection
Trademark registration establishes legal rights, but it cannot detect counterfeits entering the market or protect the customer trust your brand has built. The UAE's new Executive Regulations on Combatting Commercial Fraud introduce stricter timelines and procedures for identifying and removing counterfeit goods, making early detection and coordinated enforcement more critical than ever.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
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Article
Saudi Arabia Copyright Law Implementing Regulations: Key Clarifications And Remaining Questions
Saudi Arabia's new Copyright Law Implementing Regulations, published on 31 July 2026, provide crucial clarity on neighbouring rights, online enforcement mechanisms, software licensing terms, AI training exceptions, and border enforcement procedures. While resolving many practical questions for rights holders and businesses, the framework leaves certain areas—including AI-generated content ownership and collective management society governance—open for future development.
Saudi Arabia IP
GW
Gowling WLG
Article
UAE Introduces Music Licensing Fees For Commercial Use
The UAE is implementing a new music licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses starting December 1, 2026. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, establishments including restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, and broadcasters must pay fees to two Ministry-licensed collective management organizations, with rates varying by business type and music usage.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
Article
UAE Rolls Out New Music Licensing Fees For Businesses Starting December 2026
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses and pay fees starting December 2026. This system aligns the UAE with international copyright standards and affects a wide range of establishments from restaurants and hotels to radio stations and airlines, with fees structured based on venue type, size, and usage.
United Arab Emirates IP
HA
HAS Law Firm
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Trademark

Article
New UAE Commercial Fraud Regulations Strengthen Brand Protection
Trademark registration establishes legal rights, but it cannot detect counterfeits entering the market or protect the customer trust your brand has built. The UAE's new Executive Regulations on Combatting Commercial Fraud introduce stricter timelines and procedures for identifying and removing counterfeit goods, making early detection and coordinated enforcement more critical than ever.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
See more

Patent

Article
UAE’s Locarno Agreement Accession Marks A Milestone For Industrial Design Protection
The United Arab Emirates has officially joined the Locarno Agreement, adopting an internationally recognized classification system for industrial designs that will enhance consistency, efficiency, and harmonization with global IP protection practices. This strategic move, effective October 2026, positions the UAE as a stronger hub for innovation and creative economy while simplifying design protection for businesses operating across multiple markets.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
Article
UAE’s New Accelerated Patent Grant Programme: A Game Changer For Patent Applicants Or A Misunderstood Fast Track?
The United Arab Emirates has introduced an Accelerated Patent Grant Programme in cooperation with international patent offices, including the USPTO. While the programme aims to streamline patent examination by leveraging foreign office findings, applicants must understand that it does not automatically expedite examination timelines—a distinction that requires careful strategic consideration when pursuing patent protection in the UAE.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
Article
Qatar IP Office Temporarily Closed During The Official Mourning Period Following The Passing Of The Father Emir
The Qatar Intellectual Property Office has temporarily suspended operations following the passing of the Father Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. All statutory and administrative deadlines for intellectual property matters falling during the official mourning period will be automatically extended to the first working day after the Office reopens on 19 July 2026.
Qatar IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
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Licensing & Syndication

Article
Saudi Arabia Copyright Law Implementing Regulations: Key Clarifications And Remaining Questions
Saudi Arabia's new Copyright Law Implementing Regulations, published on 31 July 2026, provide crucial clarity on neighbouring rights, online enforcement mechanisms, software licensing terms, AI training exceptions, and border enforcement procedures. While resolving many practical questions for rights holders and businesses, the framework leaves certain areas—including AI-generated content ownership and collective management society governance—open for future development.
Saudi Arabia IP
GW
Gowling WLG
Article
UAE Introduces Music Licensing Fees For Commercial Use
The UAE is implementing a new music licensing framework requiring businesses that play music commercially to obtain annual licenses starting December 1, 2026. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, establishments including restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, and broadcasters must pay fees to two Ministry-licensed collective management organizations, with rates varying by business type and music usage.
United Arab Emirates IP
UT
United Trademark & Patent Services
See more

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