Trademark Protection in UAE and Qatar: Nice Classification

Both the UAE and Qatar have adopted the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification, aligning their trademark systems with the latest international goods and services categorization to ensure clearer, more consistent protection.

Trademark protection is a cornerstone of modern commercial law and a strategic asset for businesses operating in an increasingly interconnected global market. At the heart of any robust trademark regime lies a systematic approach to defining the scope of protection for marks, a task that depends fundamentally on the classification of goods and services. The Nice Classification system is the internationally recognized framework for this purpose. Administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Nice Classification provides a uniform structure of 45 classes, with Class 1 to Class 34 covering goods and Class 35 to Class 45 covering services, enabling trademark offices around the world to categorise and examine applications with precision and consistency.

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, these international developments are reshaping domestic trademark practice. Notably, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally adopted the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification, effective January 27, 2026, requiring all new trademark applications to comply with the updated class structure and terminology. This alignment with the latest international standards reflects broader priorities around administrative efficiency and legal certainty in the UAE’s intellectual property regime.

Meanwhile, Qatar has also transitioned to the 13th Edition, further harmonizing its classification approach with global norms as part of ongoing reforms in trademark examination and enforcement.

Against this backdrop of classification reform and digital transformation, understanding the structure and purpose of the Nice Classification, and its implications for proper class selection, specification drafting, and examination outcomes , has become an essential component of strategic trademark practice for businesses operating in the UAE, Qatar and beyond.

Understanding the Nice Classification system

The Nice Classification is the internationally accepted system for organising goods and services in trademark applications and registrations. It was established under the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks, a multilateral treaty administered by the WIPO. The system was first adopted in 1957 and has since been regularly revised to reflect changes in the global marketplace.

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The primary purpose of the Nice Classification is to provide a standardized framework that categorises every conceivable type of product and service that could be the subject of a trademark application. By grouping these into defined classes, intellectual property offices worldwide can consistently examine applications, compare rights across different jurisdictions, and determine the scope of trademark protection with clarity.

This harmonization also facilitates smoother international filings and helps businesses and examiners interpret coverage in a common language. Structurally, the Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 distinct classes:

• Classes 1 through 34 are dedicated to goods, tangible products ranging from chemicals and machinery to clothing and foodstuffs; while
• Classes 35 through 45 cover services, including advertising, financial services, telecommunications, and legal services.

Each class has a general class heading that describes the nature of the goods or services included, supported by detailed explanatory notes and listings that assist applicants and examiners in determining the most accurate classification for specific items.

Selecting the correct class or classes in a trademark application is more than an administrative step; it directly influences the scope and enforceability of the resulting rights. A trademark registration only confers protection for the goods and services specified under the selected Nice classes. If an applicant omits relevant classes or misclassifies goods or services, they may unintentionally narrow the protection of their mark or face objections and delays during examination. Proper class selection is therefore essential to ensure that a trademark’s protection aligns with a business’s actual use and commercial strategy.

UAE: Recent developments in trademark practice

Adoption and implementation of updated Nice Classifications

The UAE has  updated its approach to trademark classification by formally adopting the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification for all trademark applications filed from January 27, 2026 onward. This update aligns the UAE’s trademark practice with the latest international standards published by the WIPO and represents a key modernization of how goods and services are classified in trademark applications.

The 13th Edition (which entered into force globally on January 1, 2026) updates terminology, redistributes certain goods and services among classes, and refines descriptions to better reflect current commercial and technological realities. Its adoption in the UAE supersedes the previously applied edition and requires all new filings to comply with the revised class headings and classifications for accurate categorization.

Importantly, the revised classification does not introduce new classes but rather recalibrates categories to ensure more logical alignment based on use and function. Examples include the reclassification of certain optical products and clarifications around how modern services are described.

Clarification and specification of goods and services

With the 13th Edition now in effect, UAE trademark examiners are placing greater emphasis on the clarity and precision of goods and services specifications. Trademark applications that use broad, vague, or overly general terms are increasingly subject to objections or requests for refinement. For example, terms like “retail services” without additional qualifiers may be considered insufficiently descriptive and trigger examination delays. Applicants are therefore encouraged to adopt precise, tailored descriptions that clearly align with the updated class headings.

While the UAE allows applicants to draft specifications freely rather than mandating a strict predefined list of terms, this flexibility places the onus on applicants to ensure that their descriptions are both compliant with the Nice 13 wording and sufficiently specific to withstand heightened administrative scrutiny. This approach helps harmonize UAE practice with international norms while maintaining drafting flexibility.

Increased scrutiny during examination

In practice, the UAE Trademark Office is demonstrating increased scrutiny during the examination phase, particularly with respect to classification accuracy and specification clarity. Clerkships and trademark examiners are more actively reviewing filings to confirm that the classes and descriptions used are appropriate under the 13th Edition. Misclassification or imprecise wording can result in examination actions, requests for amendment, or prolonged processing timelines.

This elevated focus on specification quality and classification accuracy is reflective of the UAE’s broader efforts to promote efficiency and legal certainty in its intellectual property regime, as overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the authority responsible for trademark administration.

Digital Transformation of the UAE Trade Mark Office

A key milestone in the UAE’s digital transformation is the introduction of AI-powered tools within the UAE Trade Mark Office’s online platform. Most notably, the Office has launched an AI-powered “Logo Generator” tool designed to help brand owners and applicants at the earliest stages of development. The tool can be accessed here. This feature allows users to input simple text prompts to generate logo concepts drawing on existing data and trademark records accessible through the portal.

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From a procedural perspective, the Logo Generator does not itself grant trademark registration or approval; rather, it serves as an inspirational and preparatory tool. After generating a concept, users receive a report which the Ministry is reportedly considering linking to a time-limited validity period to aid subsequent filing decisions.

Importantly, however, this report is not binding and does not replace required legal analysis of distinctiveness or similarity to existing marks. This means businesses must still ensure that their chosen design meets the traditional criteria for trademark registrability (including distinctiveness) before filing an official application.

The broader digital transformation of trademark services (including online filing, management of applications, response to objections, and access to AI-assisted tools) reflects the UAE’s commitment to improving administrative efficiency and user experience. These developments align with the country’s strategic embrace of digital government and innovation, positioning the UAE as a competitive environment for both domestic and international brand owners.

Strategic implications for businesses in the UAE

The recent update to the Nice Classification and evolving examination practice in the UAE have important implications for businesses seeking trademark protection, including:

• Risks of misclassification: Selecting incorrect classes or failing to align goods and services with the updated Nice terminology can have significant consequences. Misclassification may lead to office actions, examination delays, or even outright refusal of applications. In some cases, applicants may need to refile or amend specifications, increasing administrative costs and time to registration.
• Refilling and amendment considerations: When examiners issue objections based on classification errors or vague descriptions, businesses may need to revise and resubmit their applications.
• Impact on opposition proceedings and enforcement actions: Accurate classification also affects how trademarks are defended post-registration. In opposition proceedings or infringement actions, the precise scope of the registered classes determines what uses are protected. Vague or overly broad specifications can weaken a party’s position.

Qatar: Evolving trademark framework

Application of the updated Nice Classification in Qatar

Qatar has also formally adopted the Nice Classification 13th Edition, effective February 16, 2026, requiring all new trademark applications to comply with the updated class structure and terminology. This alignment with international standards supports consistency in goods/services categorisation across jurisdictions.

However, early indications suggest that the Qatari Trademark Office may take a stricter drafting approach, with greater emphasis on using approved terminology and specific descriptors directly from official listings. Filings that deviate from these formats risk procedural objections or requests for amendment, highlighting the importance of meticulous specification drafting.

Examination practice trends show that Qatar continues to apply substantive formalities alongside classification compliance. Trademark offices review applications for appropriate classification, similarity conflicts with existing marks, and conformity with local requirements under Qatar’s intellectual property regime.

Procedural and enforcement considerations

Registration timelines and documentation requirements

Once a properly classified application is filed in Qatar, it undergoes formal and substantive examination. Published registrations are subject to a publication period (often four months) during which third parties may lodge opposition filings. This reflects a process of careful vetting and public transparency in registration outcomes.

Opposition and appeal procedures
If examined applications face oppositions, for example, based on prior rights or similarity grounds, Qatari practice allows interested parties to challenge registrations. Businesses must be prepared to engage in these proceedings and to present evidence supporting distinctiveness and correct classification.

Practical enforcement challenges
Enforcement in Qatar (as in many jurisdictions) requires clear definition of mark scope. Misclassifications can undermine enforcement against infringers, particularly when goods or services fall outside the classes listed on the registration. This underscores the strategic importance of robust pre-filing analysis and tailored specification drafting for brands operating in competitive markets.

Comparative analysis: Trademark in UAE vs. Qatar

Differences in examination rigor

Both the UAE and Qatar now apply the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification, but Qatar’s approach tends toward stricter reliance on predefined terminology and descriptors, while the UAE allows more flexibility in specification drafting so long as the categories align with the updated classes. This divergence affects examination outcomes and the likelihood of objections on classification grounds.

Administrative efficiency and digitalization levels

The UAE has made significant strides in digitalising trademark administration, including online filing platforms and emerging AI-assisted tools, which streamline procedures and user experience. Qatar similarly offers online publishing and filing processes, but its digital ecosystem remains closely tied to precise formal compliance practices.

Treatment of multi-class applications

Both jurisdictions operate within the international Nice framework, yet Qatar historically required separate applications for multiple classes, a practice that continues to shape filing strategies. The UAE likewise requires attention to class selection but integrates these filings within its trademark office procedural model.

Enforcement environment and litigation risk

In both markets, accurate classification and specification precision play key roles in enforcement and litigation. Misclassification may limit the scope of protection in infringement actions, making strategic upfront drafting essential in regional portfolio management.

Practical considerations for regional portfolio management

For brands with GCC-wide ambitions, understanding how each office interprets and applies the Nice Classification, including terminology restrictions and specification requirements, can inform optimized filing strategies that balance thorough protection with administrative efficiency.

Practical guidance for UAE and Qatar businesses

To navigate evolving trademark frameworks in the UAE, Qatar, and beyond, businesses should adopt proactive strategies:

• Conduct pre-filing clearance searches: Identify potential conflicts and avoid duplication with existing marks.
• Draft precise goods/services descriptions: Use specific, tailored wording that aligns with the latest Nice Classification terminology.
• Monitor updates to Nice Classification editions: Stay informed about international revisions and local adoption timelines.
• Review existing portfolios: Assess current registrations for alignment with updated classifications and identify opportunities for amendments.
• Coordinate regional filing strategy: Consider GCC-wide objectives and differences in national practices when planning multi-jurisdiction portfolios.

Conclusion: Trademark protection in UAE and Qatar

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Trademark regulation in the Gulf is becoming increasingly sophisticated, driven by international harmonisation, classification updates, and digital transformation. For businesses, particularly foreign investors and global brands, treating trademark protection as a strategic asset rather than a technical formality is essential.

Accurate class selection, precise specification drafting, and informed procedural planning not only enhance enforceability but also ensure that brands remain resilient in competitive markets.

See Also: UAE Overhauls Trademark System: Lower Fees, Faster IP Protection Services

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