UAE and USA Launch Program to Accelerate Patent Grants

The United Arab Emirates and the United States have signed a joint statement aimed at launching a bilateral cooperation program to accelerate patent granting procedures in the UAE, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Sunday.

The official agency stated that the signing took place on the sidelines of the 66th meetings of the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva.

The joint statement, signed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, provides 'mechanisms for cooperation to recognize positive examination results issued by the US office for corresponding UAE patent registration applications, in line with national laws.'

The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, emphasized that 'this cooperation reflects the UAE's commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of the intellectual property system in the country, by adopting the best international practices, especially in industrial property and developing patent registration procedures in line with the aspirations of innovators.'

It also 'provides flexible and efficient services that contribute to supporting the innovation and entrepreneurship environment, and solidifying the country's position as a regional hub for intellectual property rights protection.'