Dubai Customs witnessed a mounting surge in trademarks registration from international companies. According to 2013 statistics, US companies spearheaded the list with 83 trademarks divided over 22 companies; followed by 44 Swiss trademarks from 8 companies, 35 Japanese trademarks from 10 companies, 22 UK trademarks from 5 companies, 13 French trademarks from 6 companies, 12 German trademarks of 3 companies, in addition to 41 trademarks from other countries. On the other hand, 43 local trademarks were lodged by 26 domestic companies.
Trademark recording with Dubai Customs ensures traders protection of their trademarks against counterfeit when entering the UAE via Dubai’s Customs centres. The process grants brand owners legal mandate to litigate infringers.
An aggregated number of 293 trademarks were registered with Dubai Customs in 2013, and 131 complaints filed from traders on infringement issues.
“Dubai Customs is very keen on assuming its pivotal role in protecting trademarks against the imminent threats of piracy and counterfeit. This translates in following up all complaints filed by registered trademarks owners to counter all smuggling attempts and intercept any imported counterfeit products,” said Mr. Yousuf Ozair Mubarak, Director of Intellectual Property Rights Department.
He added that Dubai Customs has baseline and institutionally integrated efforts seeking to equip Customs Inspectors’ with the necessary knowledge, training and tools pertaining to counterfeiting methods and techniques; thereby unfolding such violations regardless of how finely the copy items may be.