A thorough trademark search in the UAE reveals whether a brand name or logo is already registered, helping you avoid costly rejections, legal disputes, and wasted effort. Use a mix of free online databases and the Ministry of Economy’s official inquiry service (AED 350 fee) to confirm availability before you file.
Confirm Brand Availability Before You File
Before you spend time or money filing a trademark in the UAE, you must confirm whether your proposed mark is free. Skipping this step is risky: if your name or logo is already registered or too similar to an existing mark, your application may be refused or opposed, or you may later face infringement claims.
Keep in mind that a trade name (business licence name) is different from a trademark (brand identity). Having approval to use a company name does not give you exclusive rights to that name across your goods or services. The authority in charge of trademarks in the UAE is the Ministry of Economy, which handles federal trademark registration for both mainland and free zones.
Because the UAE is part of the Madrid Protocol, your brand strategy may also require searching international databases if you plan to expand beyond the UAE.
Official Trademark Search with the Ministry of Economy
Request an Official Search Through the eServices Portal
The Ministry provides an official Trademark Inquiry service via its eServices system. This is the only way to get an authoritative answer on whether a mark identical or similar is recorded in the UAE registry.
How it works:
- Log in or register on the Ministry’s eServices portal.
- Select the Trademark Inquiry / Enquiry About Registration service.
- Provide your proposed mark (name, logo) and classification of goods or services.
- Pay AED 350 for the inquiry.
- Receive a search report indicating whether identical or similar trademarks exist.
Because this report comes from the official registry, it carries legal weight. If your mark clears this step, you can proceed with greater confidence. This is a paid service and is often accessed through a registered trademark agent, as many individuals do not have direct access.
Free Tools to Check UAE Trademarks Online
Before or alongside the official inquiry, you should conduct a free preliminary search using global trademark databases. These platforms let you filter for the UAE and explore existing registrations or applications.
Search the WIPO Global Brand Database
WIPO’s Global Brand Database is a powerful tool. Go to the database and choose “United Arab Emirates (AE)” in the country filter. Enter your proposed trademark name, number, or owner, and review results for identical or similar marks, checking classes and status.
Because many UAE trademarks are included in WIPO’s aggregated data, this gives you a good early indication of potential conflicts.
Use TMview for Cross-Border Searches
TMview is another excellent, free tool that includes UAE records among many other jurisdictions. Use its filters for keyword, class, applicant or owner, and even image-based searches for logos.
TMview helps you catch not just domestic conflicts but potential issues in markets you may expand to, such as other GCC countries or Europe.
For example: if you want to register the mark “AlphaTech UAE” in class 9 (electronics), a search for “AlphaTech” in WIPO and TMview with the UAE filter might show an existing “AlphaTec” registration in the same class. That would signal a high risk of rejection or opposition and prompt you to adjust your mark before filing.
These free searches aren’t legally binding but let you self-check many combinations of names, spelling variants, transliterations, and logo similarities. Combine them with the official report for best assurance.
How to Check if a Trademark Already Exists
Combine Multiple Search Methods for Accuracy
A robust strategy merges both free database searches and the official inquiry. Start with WIPO and TMview to scan names, logos, and owners. Expand your search using variant spellings, transliterations (Arabic and Latin scripts), and similar-sounding marks. If nothing alarming appears, make the official AED 350 inquiry to confirm.
This layered approach helps you avoid missing a conflicting mark and ensures your brand is clear to register.
Verify Trademark Ownership or Status
If a mark is found, you need to know who owns it and whether it’s active, opposed, or cancelled. Use the owner or applicant name filter in WIPO or TMview to see all trademarks held by that name in the UAE. If needed, request a Trademark Data Certificate from the Ministry, which confirms registry details.
For deeper due diligence, a local trademark agent can order a complete registry extract or history of filings, including oppositions or past cancellations. This is especially useful when acquiring a business, negotiating a licence, or verifying a partner’s brand ownership.
Is a Trademark Search Free in the UAE?
The official Ministry-issued search costs AED 350 per request. However, free platforms such as WIPO and TMview allow you to conduct broad checks at no cost. These free tools are not definitive—the Ministry’s registry is the ultimate authority.
Most businesses combine free searches with the paid official report before filing. Consider free searches your research tool and the paid inquiry your validation checkpoint.
Finding Trademarks by Owner or Company Name
You can also conduct reverse lookups to see what trademarks a company or individual owns. In WIPO’s Global Brand Database, use the “Holder Name” field and filter for the UAE to list all registered marks. In TMview, enter the owner’s name to see their trademarks across jurisdictions.
Because the UAE internal database is not publicly open, you cannot browse all UAE registrations directly on the government site, but agents can access internal search tools or request official extracts.
This process is useful when evaluating competitors, verifying IP ownership in a merger or partnership, or confirming whether a trademark you discovered is registered and by whom.
Estimating the Cost of Trademark Search and Due Diligence
When budgeting, consider the following approximate costs:
| Type of Cost | Approximate Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Official inquiry / trademark search | AED 350 | Formal registry search via Ministry |
| Trademark Data Certificate | AED 150 | Registry extract or information certificate |
| Agent or legal research fee | AED 500–3,000+ | Deep searches, variant checks, legal analysis |
| Multiple class or repeated searches | Varies | Each class or inquiry requires separate payment |
Professional searches are worthwhile for foreign applicants, high-value brands, or complex marks with multiple variants. For smaller businesses, free searches and one official inquiry are often sufficient.
Identifying the Cheapest Legal Way to Conduct a UAE Trademark Search
If your goal is to keep costs low while staying compliant, start with free WIPO and TMview searches, focusing only on relevant classes. If those look clear, pay the AED 350 for the official inquiry. Avoid redundant or unofficial services claiming discounted searches, as only the Ministry’s result is valid.
This combination, free pre-check plus one official search, is the most affordable and legally safe route.
Avoiding Trademark Conflicts and Loss of Rights
Why Regular Searches Matter After Registration
Even after registration, monitoring is essential. Run searches periodically through WIPO or TMview to identify new filings that resemble your trademark. If a competitor files a confusingly similar mark, you can file an objection.
How Non-Use or Expiry Can Cause Trademark Loss
UAE trademarks can be cancelled if not used in commerce for five consecutive years. Trademarks last ten years and must be renewed on time. Missing renewal deadlines, letting your brand lapse, or failing to record ownership changes can lead to loss of rights. Active use and timely renewal keep your protection secure.
Expanding Protection Beyond the UAE Search
Because many UAE-based companies export or franchise abroad, international searches are increasingly important. Use the Madrid Monitor to check marks registered through the Madrid Protocol. WIPO’s Global Brand Database and TMview also allow global searches to prevent conflicts in future markets.
Insights for Entrepreneurs
A trademark search is essential to protect your brand and avoid rejection. Free tools like WIPO and TMview are helpful starting points, but the Ministry’s AED 350 inquiry provides the official result. Search across scripts and variations, verify ownership, and repeat searches periodically to stay protected. For businesses expanding regionally or globally, broaden your search to international databases.
Protect Your Brand with Virtuzone
Your brand deserves confident protection from day one. Virtuzone’s experts can perform comprehensive UAE trademark searches, analyse risk, and guide you through the registration process. To secure your brand’s future, book a consultation with our PRO team or explore our UAE business setup services today.
FAQs
How to do trademark search in UAE?
Use WIPO or TMview for free preliminary searches, then submit an official Trademark Inquiry on the Ministry’s eServices portal for a confirmed registry check.
How do I check if a trademark exists?
Search by trademark name, classification, or owner using WIPO or TMview, and confirm through the Ministry’s official AED 350 search report.
Is a trademark search free?
Free databases are free to use, but the official UAE search costs AED 350.
Can I search trademarks by owner?
Yes, you can filter by owner or applicant name in WIPO and TMview. For a certified record, request a Trademark Data Certificate or extract via an agent.
What is the cheapest trademark search option?
The lowest official cost is AED 350 for the Ministry-issued inquiry. Free searches are a useful preliminary step.
Can I lose my trademark if I don’t use it?
Yes. Trademarks unused for five consecutive years can be cancelled, and failure to renew after ten years can also cause loss of rights.
