Dubai unveils faster gateway to protect intellectual property

The Commercial Compliance & consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has announced the launch of an ‘Intellectual Property Gateway,’ the first-of-its-kind electronic gateway in the region, for receiving complaints on trademark infringement through the DED website (www.dubaided.gov.ae).

The gateway automates all procedures relating to intellectual property (IP) issues, starting from receiving complaints and opening files to receiving reports from field officers and submitting them to trademark owners. The portal will start receiving complaints by September 2016.

The IP gateway seeks to protect the rights of trademark owners and enable businesses to grow sustainably as part of achieving Dubai’s overall economic development strategy and reinforcing trust between the public and private sectors. The initiative also reflects DED’s increasing compliance with the directives of the Dubai Government to replace all manual procedures with smart systems to enhance economic competitiveness and sustainable development.

Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of CCCP, said the IP Gateway falls in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The gateway will help achieve the goal of reducing government auditors in Dubai by 80% by the year 2018, as the smart system can completely eliminate the need for review visits from law firms and brand owners.

“The Department of Economic Development is keen to provide advanced services for improved satisfaction and convenience of investors and businessmen. The IP Gateway ensures added value for trademark owners, law firms, IP agencies and dealers as applicants will be able to file a complaint and get the case file opened electronically on www.dubaided.gov.ae within 10 minutes from anywhere in the world. The applicant can similarly see details such as the action taken and confiscated goods, without having to visit our offices or submitting applications manually,” Lootah said.

Mashoor Al Shamsi, Senior Manager, Intellectual Property and Commercial Agencies in DED, said CCCP will organize a workshop for all law firms representing various trademark owners to explain about the new electronic system and procedures to be followed in the event of an IP rights violation and subsequent action by DED inspectors. Al Shamsi also praised the law firms for welcoming the new gateway, reassuring them that there will be substantial improvements in terms of time and efforts in the new system.

“The new portal is part of our efforts towards eliminating barriers for trademark owners and investors, and upholding their rights and capabilities to grow sustainably. The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector is keen to meet different public and private sector stakeholders to update each other on policies and regulations, and discuss co-operation on awareness campaigns and initiatives to combat commercial fraud, particularly counterfeiting, which pose a risk to the trader and consumer alike,” Al Shamsi added.