Q:Can a patent search be conducted?
A:Yes.
Q:Can a patent application be filed without its complete documents?
A:Yes.
Q:Can convention priority be claimed? Paris Convention?
A:Yes.
Q:Can a registration be obtained for pharmaceutical products?
A:Yes.
Q:What is the term of protection of a patent and from which date is it calculated? Can it be extended?
A:The term of protection of a patent is 20 years and cannot be extended. It starts from the filing date of the application.
Q:Is a secret form of filing a model/design permitted?
A:No
Q:Is there a novelty requirement? Is it local or worldwide?
A:Yes, the novelty is required and it is worldwide.
Q:Are utility models granted protection in your country under the Current Law.
A:Yes.
Q:Is the patent protection available for software alone, or must the software be coupled with computer hardware in order to permit patent application?
A:The Patent Law gives protection for the hardware and the Copyright Law gives protection for the software.
Q:Can the specifications or claims be amended?
A:Yes.
Q:Could annuity payments be made before the granting of the patent?
A:Yes.
Q:In what language should specifications and claims of the patent be filed?
A:Arabic and English.
Q:Is working of the invention required to keep protection in force and, if so, can the working requirements be satisfied by importation or nominal working?
A:Yes, working of the invention is required to keep the invention in force.
Q:What are the conditions that might lead to a compulsory license?
A:a)The invention covered by the patent, which is exploitable in the United Arab Emirates, is not being exploited.
b)The exploitation in the United Arab Emirates of the invention covered by the patent is not sufficient to respond reasonably to the demand for the product.
c)The exploitation in the UAE of the invention covered by the patent has been suspended by the beneficiary for two consecutive years.
d) The refusal of the owner of the patent to conclude a license contract under fair terms has seriously impeded the development of industrial or commercial activities in the United Arab Emirates.
Q:Must assignments be recorded within a certain period?
A:No.
Q:Does the Patent Law provide for licenses or registered users?
A:The Patent Law provides for licenses.
Q:Does the Patents Office publish the patent applications in the Official Gazette?
A:Yes.