UAE Lawyer Highlights Costly Trademark Oversight

Sep 21, 2026

78 min

Sep 21, 2026 06:30

Dh1,000 saving leads to Dh1.5m intellectual property loss

## Costly Oversight in Trademark Protection

A UAE business owner faced a significant financial setback after choosing to save Dh1,000 by not signing a trademark contract. This decision led to a loss of approximately Dh1.5 million in intellectual property, according to lawyer Ibrahim Al Hossani. The case, which spanned over a year and a half, underscores the importance of securing legal protection for trademarks and intellectual property.

## Misconceptions About Legal Protection

Al Hossani emphasized that many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that a commercial license or public disclosure of an idea automatically provides legal protection. He clarified that trademarks, inventions, and creative works require formal registration to safeguard ownership rights.

## Trademark vs. Commercial Name

A common error is assuming that a commercial license protects a business name as a trademark. Al Hossani explained that while a commercial name identifies the company, a trademark identifies what the business offers to customers. He cited cases where courts ruled in favor of trademark owners over commercial license holders using the same name.

## Legal Consequences of Infringement

Al Hossani discussed various cases, including a rice packaging dispute and an author copying pages from another book, resulting in significant compensation. He warned that selling counterfeit goods or pirated software can also lead to legal action against retailers and distributors.

## Importance of Early Protection

The lawyer advised businesses to distinguish between different types of intellectual property and secure protection early. He noted that disputes often arise not because ideas lack value, but because owners fail to protect them before others do.

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