01. Seek Professional Guidance:
Applying for a Patent is a complex process. We highly recommend that you reach out to an IP specialist who can help prepare your application and guide you through the process to increase the likelihood of your application being accepted.
02. Understanding Patentability:
Determine if your invention meets the criteria for Patentability (Novelty, Inventive Step, Industrial Applicability and Patentable Subject Matter). Assess potential challenges or limitations.
03. Confidentiality Measures:
Implement confidentiality measures to protect your invention before filing. Consider non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when discussing your invention with others.
04. Funding and Budgeting:
Estimate the budget needed for filing fees, legal assistance, and any other costs to make sure your finances run smoothly. This activity should be revisited throughout your preparation and application process.
05. Strategic Decision-making:
Decide on the aspects of your idea that are most worth Patenting, as well as its market value. Don't forget to consider the geographical scope of protection (national, regional, international).
Use the pre-application checklist linked below or read through the outline here to understand the steps you should take before moving into the application process.
Please note, this checklist is not exhaustive and doesn't replace advice from IP experts.
01. Searching Existing Patents:
Search documents and non-literary prior arts by doing a thorough search of Patent databases to ensure your invention is new and inventive over prior arts.
02. Conduct Market Research:
Investigate the market to understand the commercial potential of your invention. Identify potential competitors and existing solutions. You are required by law to commercially exploit your Patent, this may be through production and distribution, or licensing. Therefore, your invention should be viable and applicable to the market.
03. Outline Inventor(s):
Make sure you clearly state who the correct inventors are and provide accurate ownership details in the application.
04. Specification Drafting:
Patent specifications are the blueprint of your invention. They help examiners understand how it works.
a. Keep Records and Documentation of Your Creation:
Maintain comprehensive records of your invention’s development, including all sketches, notes, and experimental results. These records are invaluable when proving the invention’s originality and development process.
b. Explain Your Invention:
Clearly explain your invention, detailing its features, functionality, and any variations. Your description should be thorough enough for someone skilled in the relevant field to replicate the invention.
c. Provide Drawings & Diagrams:
Create precise drawings or diagrams to illustrate your invention’s main features and operation. Visual aids significantly enhance the understandability in your Patent application.
d. Maintain Confidentiality:
Implement confidentiality measures to protect your invention before filing. Consider non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when discussing your invention with others.
e. Determine the Patent Classification of Your Invention:
Your invention needs to fit into a specific category, and in the UAE, we use the International Patent Classification (IPC) from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This list covers various technology areas, and you can find where your invention belongs on WIPO's website.
Note: IPC classification is only decided by MoEc staff, not the applicant.
f. Claims Drafting:
Write clear and specific Patent claims that describe the legal scope of your invention.
05. Look Through the Application Form:
Look through the forms from the MoEc to learn about what information and documents you need for your Patent application.
As in many countries, there are restrictions that affect public disclosure and the potential to file foreign Patents for inventions developed in the UAE with potential applications in military defense or national security areas. Applicants who wish to protect Patents in the national security or military defense sectors will only be able to do so after securing the permission of the UAE Ministry of Defense.
Applications in the military, defense or national security sectors will be subject to different treatment by UAE Patent office officials. UAE Patent applications in these technical areas will be reviewed by Patent office officials, and a copy of any Patent application with possible applications in national security and/or military defense will be submitted to the concerned department within the UAE Ministry of Defense.
The UAE Ministry of Defense will then review the application and issue a decision within 90 days (or the date specified by the Patent office) on whether there is a prohibition to filing the Patent(s) overseas, or if there is a requirement to maintain confidentiality.
If you are unsure whether your invention falls within this restriction, speak to an IP attorney.
A key activity you should undertake before starting your Patent application is conducting an existing Patent search, known as a 'Prior Art Search'. The primary reason for this is to check that your application will not be infringing on or be, in other words, similar to any existing Patents
Find out more about where and how to search below:
Check different Patent databases to make sure your results are comprehensive. Explore the MoEc website along with WIPO, and other IP offices, commercial databases, science journals, etc.
Consider the regional importance of your Patent and check databases that are
most relevant to those specific regions.
Below are links to Patent databases that may be useful to your search:
Here's a complete guide on how to do a thorough and effective search, making sure you navigate through existing inventions accurately:
01. Define Your Invention:
Understand what it is that makes your invention unique so you can search for similar features or characteristics.
02. Setup Search Strategy:
Setup a suitable search strategy and identify the proper keywords for your search. Think about different ways to say the same thing.
03. Refine Your Search:
Refine your search by using filters like publication date, inventor name, or assignee. This specifies the results further to what you're looking for.
04. Explore Classification Codes:
Learn about Patent classification codes related to your invention. These codes organize inventions by technology, making your search more focused. The International Patent Classification (IPC), established by WIPO, is the classification used in the UAE.
05. Review Citations:
Check the references in the Patents you find (Prior Arts Search) to uncover more sources and related inventions. This expands the scope of your search.
06. Academic Journals and Literature:
Broaden your search beyond Patents further to include academic journals, articles, and publications in your field. Valuable insights may be discovered outside the usual Patent sources.
07. Monitor Patent Office Updates:
Stay up to date with news from relevant Patent offices. Changes in Patent databases or new publications could affect your search.
08. Keep Records:
Keep detailed records of your search, marking the databases you checked, the keywords you used, and any important findings. All of this information will come in handy when you’re crafting your application.
Searching existing Patents (Prior Arts Search) can be a difficult task. Patent Attorneys have training and experience in conducting this type of search well. Look through our list of registered IP Attorneys to find the most suitable one for you.
There are a number of tools available online to help you. IPRally, for example, uses AI to analyze Patent specification and descriptions to offer you with the appropriate keywords to conduct your search.
The Patent application process requires you to fill out a number of documents in detail, following specific rules set by the Patent office.
Find a list of all the documents you’ll need to submit with your application below:
Note: Some documents should be submitted in both Arabic and English. Any missing documents should be submitted in accordance with the timeline given by the MoEc through official notification. (Generally 90 days from notification delivery.)
Patent Specifications act as a blueprint for your invention, and can help explain its details to examiners and, later, to the world.
Writing a Patent specification requires careful attention to detail and a thorough documentation that illustrates the unique aspects of your invention.
We highly recommend seeking legal guidance at this point in your journey, if you haven’t done so already, as the specification document can be difficult to draft accurately.
Find our tips below on drafting a good Patent specification:
Select a title that summarizes your invention and write a short description of the field it falls in to provide context to the Patent examiner(s) who will be reviewing your application.
Providing context helps set the stage. Describe the current problems or challenges in your relevant field and show how your invention/innovation solves them. Think of this as an opportunity to show the importance of your innovation.
Provide a concise summary listing the main features and benefits of your invention to help examiners and readers quickly grasp why your invention is unique.
Include clear technical drawings and pictures to support your written description. Visuals can help show the functionality and provide clarity on how your invention works.
Use clear and precise language to describe your invention in detail. Explain how each part works - which might include its structure, function and operation. This is another opportunity to add diagrams, drawings, or visuals to help make it easier to understand.
Look at different versions and possible changes to your invention. This shows how broad your invention is and makes your Patent protection stronger.
If there are any technical terms associated with your invention that need defining, please provide explanations so that readers of your application can be clear in their understanding.
Claims define the scope of the Patent right. Claims must be drafted in a clear and concise manner suitable for the technical field to which the claimed invention belongs and in accordance with the claim drafting method stipulated in the implementing regulations.
Sum up your invention in a short abstract, capturing the main idea of your innovation. This acts as a quick reference for Patent examiners and potential collaborators.
Finish by summarizing, again, the main features and benefits of your invention. Highlight its uniqueness and how it contributes to the field.
Use a balance of legal & technical words. Being precise is important to make sure your Patent document stands up to examination.
Keep in mind, a well-written Patent document is crucial for good Patent protection. Being thorough, clear, and precise in your paperwork will help you during the examination and support the long-term success of your Patent in the legal world.
Here are a few examples of what good Patent specifications look like:
Fine Generation Method and System for Automatic Generation of Fines
Biodiesel Production
Cable-driven Devices and Systems for Performing Surface Operations
Below you will find the steps, timeframes, and costs involved in applying for a Patent. The process is divided into three phases: pre-application, application, and post application.
The time and expenses for each phase may vary depending on the complexity of your invention, the quality of your application, and the level of support you choose to engage with.
