Latest news with #AlMuaini
Web Release
21-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
UAE highlights innovative use of technology in intellectual property protection at the International Trademark Association meeting
The UAE participated in the General Assembly meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA), held in San Diego, USA. The discussions centered on the future of intellectual property (IP) amid rapid technological progress, particularly the role of modern innovations in reshaping IP rights protection. Key topics included the need to advance legal and regulatory frameworks to keep pace with ongoing developments in innovation and creativity landscapes. H.E. Abdelrahman Almuaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy, reaffirmed the UAE's strategic and proactive approach to enhancing IP protection systems through the adoption of latest technology. These efforts are in line with the nation's digital transformation vision and its ambition to become a global hub for innovation and talent. Dr. Al Muaini highlighted the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 as a milestone in the country's journey to leadership in AI field, boosting efficiency, performance, and sustainability in alignment with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. He highlighted the Ministry of Economy's success in streamlining trademark and patent examination processes, accelerating procedures, and improving decision-making. Additionally, the UAE has developed a comprehensive system to strengthen IP rights protection, reduce violations, resolve disputes, and enhance services for trademark registration – supporting businesses in boosting their competitiveness locally, regionally, and globally. Dr. Al Muaini pointed out that 33,852 national and international trademark applications were filed in the UAE in 2024, marking a seven per cent increase compared to that of 2023. From 2020 to 2024, the total number of applications reached 135,932, demonstrating growing demand for IP protection in the country. The UAE has fostered strong partnerships with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and its regional offices, in addition to being a signatory to multiple international IP treaties. The Assistant Undersecretary emphasized the Ministry of Economy's continued collaboration with local, regional, and international entities to integrate AI technologies in managing patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyrights. Specialized training programs are also being conducted to equip professionals with AI-driven IP management tools. In his closing remarks, Dr. Al Muaini stressed the importance of advancing legal and ethical frameworks to match AI's rapid evolution, with a focus on transparency and data privacy. This ensures fairness and inclusivity in the global IP protection system. The International Trademark Association meeting serves as a vital forum for constructive dialogue among policymakers, legal experts, and industry leaders, aiming to build an equitable global system that fosters innovation while safeguarding creators' rights. Notably, the UAE will host the INTA General Assembly in 2029, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to do so. Additionally, the first INTA regional office will open in the UAE, underscoring the nation's leading role in shaping the future of IP globally.
Khaleej Times
05-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE to cut patent approval time for green initiatives from 2 years to 3 months
The Ministry of Economy launched a new accelerator and roadmap which will substantially reduce the time to approve intellectual property (IP) applications in green and sustainability sectors for the benefit of the community in the UAE. UAE has taken a host of sustainability initiatives that started with COP28 held in Dubai in 2023 and 'Green Intellectual Property' is part of the ministry's efforts to support such programmes, Dr Abdel Rehman Al Muaini, assistant under-secretary for the intellectual property sector, Ministry of Economy, said. 'So we came up with an accelerator programme in supporting any applicant who has a patent for green energy or sustainability. It will take 3 months – or a maximum of 6 months – to approve the application, instead of 1 or 2 years,' said Al Muaini. 'For the accelerator programme, there is a committee which can look into the applicant's request to waive the fee also,' he said. Initiatives in the field of water, solar, wind and ocean energy and any other sustainability field will be supported under the 'Green Intellectual Property' initiative, Marwa Al Harmoodi, chief innovation manager and IP expert at the Ministry of Economy, said. She elaborated that this is open to all UAE residents and educational and research institutes. The ministry said that the three-month roadmap will strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE's IP landscape and contribute to its progress and prosperity, supporting the country's directives to transition to a circular economy. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, said they will collaborate with local environmental stakeholders in the country and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to implement all the objectives of this roadmap, providing more enablers and opportunities to motivate inventors and creators to develop sustainable innovations and projects in critical economic areas and sectors. Increasing the percentage of green IPs by 8% Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said the aim is to raise the percentage of patent registrations for sustainable and environmental innovations to eight per cent of the total number of patent registrations in the country. He invited innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, institutions, and universities to leverage the advantages offered by the new roadmap for Green IP, highlighting the competitive environment that the UAE offers in terms of IP and related activities. The undersecretary added that the new roadmap for Green IP aims to promote the adoption of leading digital solutions and advanced technology by individuals, organizations, and companies to produce sustainable products and services that contribute to environmental conservation. 'Following this roadmap, we are keen to forge new partnerships with the academia and research centres to integrate IP into sustainable innovations and protect the rights of eco-friendly projects and innovations.' He added that this new roadmap aims to offer the utmost legal protection for innovations, while also meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly innovations locally and globally.
