Intellectual property rights have always played an innate role in breakthrough discoveries across various fields. Innovation is valued highly by both individuals and businesses in the UAE where the focus is firmly on the Knowledge Economy. The UAE has always strengthened its framework and incorporated strategic policies in place to protect intellectual property and created a strong IP regime which battles counterfeiting and other IP malpractices and crimes. It is a signatory to various international treaties relating to the recognition and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, including the Paris Convention on patents and trademarks, the Patent Cooperation Treaty for patents, and TRIPS. It has also recently joined the Madrid Protocol.
What are Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
Intellectual property rights are defined as ‘legal rights’ granted to individuals for the unique creation of their minds. These are exclusive rights given to the creators to beneficially use and monetise their creations and combat unauthorized use. It comprises various types of rights such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.
How to protect IPR
If a third party attempts to steal your intellectual property rights, you must have safeguards in place to combat the theft. The best way to protect IPR is to register it with the concerned authorities and enforce your ownership rights when used without authority. Other ways of to protect IPR include confidentiality agreements, Non- Disclosure Agreements and implementing security measures.
Benefits of Protecting IPR
Protect your unique creation: protect it against infringement and unauthorized use by others, and defend your exclusive right to use or sell IP rights in a court of law.
Enhance the market value of your business: registered and protected IP rights can increase the goodwill of business.
Additional income: IP assets can be monetized and commercialized through sale and licensing, resulting in increased revenue and a consistent source of royalties that can accelerate growth of the company.
Reputation among consumers: – registered and protected IP ensures your consumers are purchasing safe and guaranteed products and this builds brand and company reputation and loyalty in the market.
Enforcement of IPR
Infringement or misappropriation occurs when another party seeks to violate your intellectual property rights. Depending on the type of IP protection infringed upon and the degree of the violation, IP violations are either civil or criminal offenses.
In the event that IP rights are violated, the owner might seek redress from the relevant authorities through civil, criminal, or administrative measures.
How MNA can Help
The MNA legal team consists of experienced lawyers and specialized IP professionals who provide advisory services support relating to IP protection policies, legal consultancy on the applicable laws, registration of IP rights, enforcement of IP rights in the UAE, drafting assignments, licensing, confidentiality agreements, litigation of matters before competent courts, and custom recordation. We ensure swift and smooth registration of a client’s IP rights and assure prompt IP enforcement where necessary.
