The Significance of Intellectual Property Management in the UAE

What is Your Identity?

Intellectual property is the creation of the mind that is the original product of human intelligence that requires protection in order to keep it safe from unauthorized use. To understand the value of this property we must first understand what comprises intellectual property. Primarily, there are four main categories of Intellectual property:

• Copyright: Art, literary works and music, Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and Related Rights
• Trademark: Names (Company, Service and Products) and logos, Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 Concerning Trademarks
• Patent: For inventions and processes, Federal Law No. 31 of 2016, promulgated by Law No. 17 of 2002
• Trade secrets: For codes and processes

What Are the Intellectual Property Rights?

Like any other property that you own and use for your benefit, Intellectual property rights are the same. These rights allow the creator or owner of the trademarks, patent or copyright material to take benefits from their creation or invention.

For the first time, the intellectual property was recognized in 1883 during the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and later in 1886 the Berne Convention for the protection of Literary and Artistic Work to safeguard the original owners and creators of the work while allowing them to take undivided benefits from there creation.

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides the right to benefit from the moral and material interest that will result from scientific, literary or artistic productions of the original owner.

Why is it Important to Safeguard Your Intellectual Property?

In this era of technological advancement, it has become a lot easier for anyone to steal your ideas, literary work or identity. People are making millions by selling products in the grey market which is causing a huge damage to the original owners.

On the other hand, people from around the world are in the process of creating or inventing something new that could be useful in the areas of art, technology or culture. Protection of intellectual property encourages the commitment to innovate, enhance economic growth and enhance the living standards.

Intellectual Property Management Program and Its Benefits

The properly tailored Intellectual property management program helps the company to gain confidence to work with ultimate motivation and undivided attention to achieve their targets. As the intellectual property and enforcement of awards are being recognized by most of the countries worldwide, eCommerce such as Amazon, eBay, Alibaba...etc, it was the biggest threat for the brand owners.

These eCommerce platforms have improved and tightened their vendor registration terms and conditions to make sure that only legitimate and authorized sale of a product could be carried forward.

Companies who were suffering great losses due to the grey market sales and fake products bearing their logos, destroying the reputation in the markets can only be controlled now with the help of proper IP management program that covers registrations, renewals, market research, country of origin, extended protection and proper structuring.

Written by

Khubaib Bin Naeem | Jassim Ali Al Haddad Lawyers & Legal Consultants