Customs First
Border recordation so counterfeits are stopped on entry rather than pursued after they reach the market.
Intellectual property enforcement in the UAE runs through several parallel channels, and choosing the right combination matters more than the strength of the underlying right. Administrative, customs, criminal and civil routes each achieve something the others do not.
Dubai Legal Expert enforces and defends intellectual property rights across the UAE, covering infringement, counterfeiting, oppositions and cancellations, and disputes over ownership and licences.
Administrative complaints to the Ministry of Economy or the economic departments can produce rapid action against local infringers. Customs recordation allows counterfeit goods to be detained at the border before they reach the market.
Criminal complaints are available for counterfeiting and carry real deterrent effect. Civil proceedings are the route to damages and injunctive relief. Serious enforcement programmes use several of these together rather than choosing one.
Contact UsAction against unauthorised use of trademarks, copyright works, patents and designs.
Customs recordation, border seizures, raids and criminal referrals against counterfeit trade.
Opposing applications and seeking cancellation of registrations, including on non use grounds.
Disputes over who owns a right and over the scope and breach of licence terms.
Representation where your business is accused of infringement, including invalidity arguments.
Border recordation so counterfeits are stopped on entry rather than pursued after they reach the market.
Administrative complaints producing quicker action against local infringers than court proceedings.
Criminal complaints where counterfeiting warrants deterrent action beyond a commercial remedy.
Proceedings for damages and injunctive relief where the commercial loss justifies them.
Cancellation of blocking registrations that are not genuinely used in the market.
Representation and invalidity arguments where your business is the one being accused.
Most brand owners pursue counterfeiters after the goods have already been distributed, which is the most expensive point at which to act. Recordation with customs allows suspected consignments to be detained on entry, before distribution, at a fraction of the cost.
It is a straightforward administrative step that many rights holders never take. For any brand with a genuine counterfeiting problem in the region, it is usually the single highest value enforcement measure available.
Confirm the right, choose the route, then enforce across channels.
We confirm the registration position and that the right relied on is valid and enforceable.
Evidence of the infringing use is gathered and documented, including test purchases where appropriate.
Administrative, customs, criminal and civil options are compared against the outcome you need.
A formal demand is issued, which resolves a proportion of infringements without further action.
The chosen routes are pursued, frequently in combination for serious counterfeiting.
Proceedings are pursued to judgment or a settlement including undertakings and compensation.
Customs recordation stopped three shipments in the first year. We had been chasing distributors for two years before that.
A blocking registration that had never been used was cancelled, which finally let us register our own mark.
Administrative complaints, customs recordation, criminal referral and civil proceedings are all available, and serious cases usually combine several routes.
Recording your rights with customs so suspected counterfeit consignments can be detained at the border before entering the market.
Cancellation is available on grounds including non use after a defined period, and it is frequently the route to clearing a blocking registration.
The defence examines the validity and scope of the right relied on, and whether the use complained of actually falls within it.
Civil proceedings can produce damages and injunctive relief where the commercial loss justifies pursuing them.
Administrative and customs routes generally move faster than court proceedings, which is one reason they are used first.
Customs recordation stops counterfeits before distribution. The first consultation is free.
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Dubai Legal Experts provides trusted legal advocacy across the UAE with experienced lawyers and clear legal guidance.