With effect from 1 July 2009, the time frames for payment of official fees relating to trade mark applications will be halved. Failure to meet these deadlines could result in significant late fees, or even the lapsing of the trade mark application.
By Federal Decree, the deadline for payment of publication fees was reduced from 60 days to 30 days from receipt of a formal notice of acceptance by the Trade Marks Office. Similarly, the time frame by which applicants must meet registration fees has been shortened to 30 days following expiry of the opposition period.
The Trade Marks Office will generally accept payment of fees beyond the deadline if the payment is accompanied by a late fee of AED 500 per month's delay of the registration fee deadline, and AED 50 per month's delay of the publication fee deadline.
The change is important to note as trade mark publication and registration fees in the UAE are comparatively significant. Trade mark applicants should be aware that once a mark has been accepted, they may be called upon to decide quickly whether to proceed with publication and registration.