Starting a business means investing in more than a licence. You invest in a name, an identity and the reputation customers attach to your brand. Protecting that identity belongs in your business plan from day one.

For companies licensed in Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone, a new partnership aims to make trademark registration easier to access. Here is what it means, what it costs and what to confirm before you apply.

What has been announced?

SPC Free Zone and the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve access to trademark registration and intellectual property (IP) protection. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Sharjah Investment Forum.

The partnership covers:

• Access for SPC customers to the Ministry's trademark registration service
• Technical assistance and training for SPC staff
• Joint awareness initiatives on IP protection, particularly for publishing and the creative industries

One point matters for planning: this agreement makes the service easier to reach. The Ministry remains the authority that registers trademarks in the UAE.

Why register a trademark?

A trademark distinguishes your goods or services from those of others. It can protect a business name, word, logo, symbol, design or other distinctive brand element.

• A trade licence is not a trademark. Your SPC licence lets you operate; it does not give you exclusive rights to your brand. That requires a separate Ministry application.
• Protect before you promote. If you are about to invest in packaging, advertising, an online store or a product launch, review brand protection first, not after a dispute arises.
• Protection is long-term. Under the UAE Trademarks Law, registration protects your mark for 10 years from the filing date, renewable for further periods.

What are the government fees?

MoET publishes the following standard government fees for one trademark:

Optional expedited examination costs AED 2,250 instead of AED 750, bringing the total to AED 8,000. It speeds up the examination decision only; it is not one-day registration.

These are government fees only, not an all-inclusive SPC package. The announcement does not publish any SPC service charges. Before you proceed, ask for a written quotation covering agent, documentation and assistance costs, and the exact scope of the application.

How does the process work?

1. Apply. Submit the application with supporting documents and pay the examination fee.
2. Examination. The Ministry checks that your mark is not identical or confusingly similar to an existing one. Its service card lists about 20 working days for a decision.
3. Publication. Once approved, pay the publication fee. The mark is published in the official Trademark Bulletin.
4. Objection period. A 30-day window follows in which third parties may object.
5. Registration. If the application can proceed, pay the final registration fee. The certificate is issued within 30 days after the objection period.

These are separate stages, not a guaranteed overall completion date. Late payment of publication or registration fees attracts monthly penalties, so plan each payment on time.

Documents for a company application typically include a copy of the trademark (JPEG), your trade licence and, when filing through a registered trademark agent, a certified or notarised power of attorney. Other documents depend on the type of mark.

What should SPC business owners confirm first?

The partnership is a positive step, but the announcement does not set out a detailed submission workflow or an SPC-specific processing timeline. Before applying, confirm:

• The submission route through SPC
• The authorisation or power of attorney required
• The goods or services classes your mark should cover
• A complete written fee breakdown, with government and service fees shown separately

If you have several marks or need several classes, ask for a case-specific quotation. One standard fee will not cover everything.

Make brand protection part of your business plan

The SPC–MoET partnership sends a clear message: setting up a business and protecting its identity should go hand in hand.

Planning to register a trademark for your SPC company? Talk to Your Office Partners about your requirements and next steps.

• Call: +971 58 984 2522
• WhatsApp: +971 52 620 8460
• Email: info@yourofficepartners.com

Official sources

• Emirates News Agency (WAM) – SPC–Ministry partnership announcement
• UAE Government Portal (u.ae) – Intellectual property and trademark registration