Trademark Registration for Free Zone Companies in the UAE (DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, ADGM, RAKEZ and others)

A free-zone licence is a valid basis for a UAE trademark application. The registration covers the whole country – mainland and every free zone – because trademarks are federal.

Accepted free-zone licences

DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis, IFZA, Meydan, ADGM, KIZAD, Masdar City, twofour54, SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, SHAMS, RAKEZ, Ajman Free Zone, UAQ Free Trade Zone, Fujairah Free Zone and the others. Upload the current licence; the applicant name must match it exactly.

Offshore companies

JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC and Ajman Offshore companies can own UAE trademarks. They cannot trade onshore, so the mark is usually licensed to an operating company – record the licence with MoET. Licensing →

Holding structures

Many groups hold marks in a DIFC or ADGM holding company and license operating subsidiaries. This works if intra-group licences are recorded and quality control is documented; otherwise use by subsidiaries may not protect the mark against non-use cancellation. Maintenance →

What the free-zone licence does not do

• It does not protect the trade name outside that free zone.
• It does not give brand rights against a mainland competitor.
• Free-zone "brand name" or "trade name" reservations are not trademarks.

Documents

Trade licence, certificate of incorporation (if requested), the mark, class and goods list, and a power of attorney if an agent files. Checklist →

Fees and process

Identical to mainland companies: AED 6,500 per class, four to six months, fully online. Cost →

Send us the brand name and what it covers for a free preliminary check and a fixed-fee quote – contact us. Official services and fees: MoET links.