Earlier this year, extensive meetings took place at the DDED to review strategy and discuss new ways of improving the current IP system in Dubai, including adopting best practice methods to enforce IP and trademark rights for both the DDED and brand owners. 

The IP Gateway, which was implemented by the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (“CCCP”) Department of the DDED, is the first of its kind in the world. It allows complaints relating to trademark infringement to be received via the department’s website. 

The IP Gateway first started receiving complaints in September 2016 and its main function is to automate all procedures relating to IP issues, from receiving complaints and opening files, to receiving reports from field officers and submitting them to trademark owners. The IP Gateway also allows lawyers to track cases and complaints electronically on behalf of brand owners.