UAE Joins Locarno Agreement to Strengthen Industrial Design Protection
UAE formally joins the Locarno Agreement at WIPO in Geneva, harmonising industrial design classification to strengthen IP protection and accelerate national innovation.
UAE formally joins Locarno Agreement at WIPO
The United Arab Emirates officially acceded to the Locarno Agreement during the 68th session of WIPO Assemblies held in Geneva from July 7 to July 15, 2026. The accession was announced as the UAE delegation was led by Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, with Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property, in attendance. The move integrates the UAE into the international classification system for industrial designs administered by WIPO.
What accession to the Locarno Agreement means for designers
Joining the Locarno Agreement aligns the UAE’s industrial design classification with a long-established international taxonomy, improving the consistency of design searches and filings across member states. The harmonised classification will simplify procedures for registries, boost cross-border comparisons, and reduce administrative friction for creators and businesses. Officials said the change will make it easier to identify prior designs and speed up examination and registration processes at national and regional levels.
Minister frames accession within broader IP reform agenda
Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri described accession as a milestone in advancing the UAE’s intellectual property framework and supporting innovators and creators. He reiterated that the step reflects the country’s strategic vision to build an institutional environment that protects IP rights and fosters entrepreneurship in line with the We the UAE 2031 objectives. The ministry highlighted that legislative updates and proactive regulation have been central to the strategy to position the UAE as a knowledge-based economy hub.
Recent legislative and programmatic advances cited by officials
In recent years the UAE has updated core IP laws, including statutes on industrial property, trademarks, and copyright and related rights, to create a comprehensive legal framework. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism reported more than 60 targeted initiatives introduced in the past three years to bolster IP, averaging over 20 measures annually. One highlighted project is a digital Trademark Marketplace designed to facilitate the sale and transfer of brands and to support market liquidity for intangible assets.
Growth in filings and patent activity across the first half of 2026
Data shared by the ministry show continued expansion in IP activity during the first half of 2026. Registered trademarks reached 17,217 in the period, against a total of about 39,113 trademarks recorded in 2025. Recorded creative works grew by 35.4 percent in the same comparative period, reflecting stronger output in registered copyrighted material. Patent-related activity also rose, with patent applications up roughly 12 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, following last year’s total of 4,353 applications.
Enforcement measures and digital piracy countermeasures reported
The UAE is intensifying enforcement actions where rights are infringed, particularly online, through the ministry’s InstaBlock platform and related measures. The ministry reported that 31,852 infringing websites were blocked in 2026, and the number of blocked sites grew about 26 percent in the first half of 2026 versus the same period in 2025. Officials described these actions as part of a coordinated approach to protect broadcasting rights, combat digital piracy, and preserve market integrity for rights holders.
UAE pavilion at WIPO highlights culture and technology
At the WIPO Assemblies the ministry hosted a national pavilion that showcased Emirati crafts, heritage displays, and a selection of domestic inventions and innovations. Participating organisations included the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, the UAE Copyright Management Association, the UAE Publishers Association, the Emirates Scientific Club, the Trademark Owners Council, and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. Delegates said the pavilion was intended to advance cultural diplomacy while underscoring the link between heritage preservation and contemporary inventive activity.
Balancing AI adoption and emerging technologies with IP protection
Speaking at the meetings, the minister stressed the need for IP frameworks to keep pace with rapid developments in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He noted that the UAE led global adoption rates for AI technology in the first quarter of 2026 and called for balanced policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding creators’ rights. The ministry signalled ongoing work to adapt regulations and administrative processes so they remain fit for technologies that change how inventions and creative works are produced and distributed.
The UAE’s accession to the Locarno Agreement marks a strategic step in internationalising its intellectual property system and improving the tools available to designers, rights holders, and examiners. Officials say the move, together with legislative updates and enforcement efforts, aims to strengthen the country’s position as a regional and global centre for innovation and creative enterprise.
