Dubai:The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) have expanded their Intellectual Property Clinic initiative, offering ongoing, personalized services to eligible Emirati founders. This move follows a successful pilot phase, providing practical guidance to entrepreneurs on how to navigate the intellectual property (IP) registration process effectively.
According to Wam, the clinics aim to assist founders in identifying critical brand assets needing protection and understanding the complexities of trademark classes and ownership. The strategic-first approach positions intellectual property as a valuable commercial asset, crucial for enhancing brand ownership and facilitating future investment opportunities.
This initiative is part of the broader Dubai IP Hub, launched by the DFF and the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism in 2024. The hub serves as a comprehensive resource for innovators, offering support from IP planning and registration to management and commercialization. Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, emphasized the importance of protecting intangible assets early to lay a foundation for business growth.
Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at DFF, highlighted that effective IP strategies start with understanding a business's unique value. The IP Clinic provides Emirati founders with a focused environment to make informed decisions, supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33's goal of doubling Dubai's economy by 2033 and boosting its status as a global SME hub.
Eligible Emirati entrepreneurs are encouraged to register for the IP Clinic to gain clarity on their brand protection strategies, thereby aiding their international expansion efforts.
