Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property practice specialises in contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters, advising clients on the legal, regulatory and commercial aspects of intellectual property.

We advise on the protection and use of intellectual property across a broad range of sectors in the UAE. 

We actively help our clients achieve their commercial aims, advising on effective intellectual property and brand preservation, protective measures, and providing suggestions for practical solutions.   

From the earliest stages, we act to protect the intellectual property rights and interests of our local and international clients. We consider how best to preserve intellectual property rights, as well as how best to enable the practical use and effective commercialisation of intellectual property, whether in franchise arrangements, distribution matters, through other third party licensing arrangements or brand development. 

We also advise clients on matters of their online profile, including e-commerce, which is a rapidly developing area within the region’s market. We see an increasing demand for advice on such matters which often involve the use of intellectual property.

Whether new to the region, expanding your business presence online, or entering into new commercial arrangements in the UAE, we provide bespoke intellectual property advisory services to structure commercial arrangements at the preliminary stages and place your business strategically to best realise the potential in the value of your intellectual property rights. 

Should a potential infringement or dispute arise, we have considerable expertise in enforcing rights against counterfeiters and copiers of well-known brands, as well as experience in enforcement proceedings with the relevant ministries/government departments and the UAE civil and criminal courts. With one of the largest dispute resolution teams in the UAE, with rights of audience before the UAE courts, as well as the DIFC Courts, we present our clients with the full spectrum of options should a dispute arise.

Our intellectual property lawyers have backgrounds in commercial, dispute resolution, corporate, and regulatory. Firm wide, our lawyers have experience in almost every sector, including: retail, hospitality, F&B, energy, utilities, financial services, education, health, construction, transportation, real estate, tourism, manufacturing, technology and media and advertising. 

We work with our colleagues, in our commercial, dispute resolution, and regulatory teams as part of a total response to our clients' needs. 

The breadth of knowledge gained from our experience enables us to provide well informed and practical advice, addressing international requirements and standards, while addressing specific laws, regulations, practices and market customs of the UAE. 

Our clients range from multi-national corporations, to SME’s and individuals, including:

  • creators of new and innovative products and services within the market; 
  • corporations that are new to the UAE, seeking to expand their operations, and perhaps unaware of the intellectual property and brand protection issues that may affect their businesses; and
  • entities that already have an established business presence within the UAE. 

We advise on all manner and aspects of intellectual property in the UAE, in relation to non-contentious matters, including:

  • safeguarding legal rights to intellectual property in various commercial arrangements; 
  • intellectual property rich commercial structures and transactions; 
  • securing intellectual property rights and brand protection within corporate re-structuring, takeovers or mergers and acquisitions;  
  • brand and trademark protection and exploitation through franchising, distribution, merchandising, licensing and various other types of services agreements,

and in relation to contentious matters:

  • defending intellectual property rights; 
  • enforcement strategy and litigation where there has been a breach of intellectual property rights; and  
  • effective remedies for intellectual property breach.

  • “Extreme professionalism in every step they take, either filing documents to the patent office or explaining reasoning behind their actions.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “Quick reactions to client’s requests. Thorough analysis of problems and finding best solutions for the client.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “All partners are leaders and experts in their own fields and work seamlessly together to give a clear and concise legal route forward.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “Everything was clearly laid down, with details and precise guidance.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “Everything was clearly laid down, with details and precise guidance.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “Hadef's expertise starts from the top at the strategic partner level and trickles all the way down to paralegals and administrative staff. Everyone is highly responsive and knowledgeable.”

    Chambers Global, 2023

  • “The firm handles all trademark work for my clients in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a very quick and efficient way. The quality of work is outstanding.”

    Legal 500, 2022

  • “The most professional, responsive and meticulous trade mark law firm in the Middle East.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • Clients praise Hadef & Partners' “extremely wide-ranging and extensive knowledge in the international field,” pointing to the firm as a “stellar leader in the legal field in the UAE.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • Renowned strength in all aspects of trade mark matters, including registration, enforcement and commercialisation.

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One source found Hadef & Partners to be “a very reliable and professional firm,” while a further commentator described the firm as “a very good UAE-based firm with talented lawyers.”

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • One source endorses the firm for its "strength and depth in understanding the complex and untested areas of UAE law when taking projects into a space where, if it is the first of its kind, issues arise." The same interviewee adds: "They have access to people that most firms don't necessarily have."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • When it comes to safeguarding brands, the IP group at Hadef & Partners takes a holistic approach. Understanding the pressures and time constraints faced by in-house counsel, the squad designs and executes tight regional filing strategies to ensure seamless cross-border protection. With litigators who have rights of audience before the UAE courts, the set is also ready to roll whenever infringement issues loom.

    World Trademark Review WTR 1000, 2021

  • One client said the team possessed “a lot of experience both inside and outside the region.”

    Chambers Global, 2020

  • “Their commercial and practical approach,” adding that “their legal abilities I have come to take for granted.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • “A ‘top-class law firm’ for UAE corporate matters, Hadef & Partners LLC ‘knows the market, the law and the regulations, and is well-connected with the authorities’.”

    Legal 500, 2018

  • “Sources praise the team's local expertise, commenting: ‘They have local knowledge of the region, combined with very strong legal skills and provide sound advice’.”

    Chambers Global, 2018

  • “Sources appreciate the personable nature of the team: ‘very friendly and supportive’.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • Clients say "They are pragmatic, can-do lawyers."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Clients say "they are definitely major players - one of the first names to spring to mind in the UAE."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A local disputes powerhouse, excelling in local and DIFC court litigation. Also very active in arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Offers considerable expertise in construction, shipping and general commercial disputes.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A full-service IP registration and enforcement practice, particularly busy with trade mark registration and anti-counterfeiting campaigns. Assists clients in the hotel, media and consumer goods industries with the protection of their local franchising and distribution interests.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Advises media and technology companies on marketing, licensing and franchising agreements. Huge manpower and experience in contentious matters make the firm a strong choice for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, as well as the collection of related royalties.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • An "established domestic practice offering the full range of IP services, from trademarks and copyrights to domain names. Advises high-profile clients on local and regional IP strategies. Extensive experience in IP related disputes before the relevant authorities as well as UAE civil and criminal courts."

    Chambers Global 2014

  • Hadef & Partners' IP offering forms part of the firm's respected corporate practice. It advises on IP issues arising from outsourcing, franchising and transactional matters, and is often a first port of call for international brands seeking local commercial advice on establishing in the Middle East.

    Chambers Global 2013

  • The firm's highly regarded dispute resolution team often represents clients before local courts in trade mark infringement disputes.

    Chambers Global 2013

  • Hadef & Partners’ ‘very skilled team’ provides ‘professional service at reasonable fees, and has a good understanding of commercial issues’.

    Legal 500 2013

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Winner for Managing Partner of the Year

    Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

    By : IFLR Middle East Awards

    Lawyer : Dr. Faraj Ahnish

  • IP Team of the Year 2019

    IP Team of the Year 2019

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for IP Team of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Honourable Mention for Intellectual Property Firm of the Year 2017

    Honourable Mention for Intellectual Property Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Highly Commended for Middle East Law firm of the Year 2015

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards