Firms cannot use Dubai as a trademark

Dubai as a trademark is no longer available for new private businesses, confirmed government officials who are involved in the issuance of the trade licences in the emirate.

Officials at the Dubai Authority of Economic Development have stressed that Dubai as a name is now only a government property.

However, the official website of the Dubai Authority of Economic Development does not convey this latest development.

The emirate, however, houses almost 500 private businesses with the Dubai as a name in their trademark, including laundry, foodstuff suppliers, medical centres, hotels, schools and automotive services.

An official from the Licensing Department at DED said there was a regulation issued that would refuse any applications for new businesses wishing to have Dubai or any abbreviation or acronym that refers to Dubai in their trademark. Yet, old businesses who have had Dubai as part of their trade name will not be forced to change it or be fined for it. Companies using Dubai or DXB on their logos or corporate profiles including stationery, as an extension of their names before the regulation was issued will not be allowed to acquire official licences to keep that name.

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.