UAE comes off US IP protection watchlist

The UAE has been taken off the United States' intellectual property protection (IPP) watch list.

The country's ongoing efforts in protecting IP rights across various commercial and investment activities have been hailed by the US.

In its latest report (2021 Special 301), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has outlined a set of key achievements made by the UAE.

Some of which are: the Ministry of Health and Prevention resolving concerns with IP protection of pharmaceutical products (Decree 321), and the UAE making progress on longstanding IP enforcement concerns, particularly through increased efforts by Dubai Customs.

The report also hailed the publication of annual IP enforcement statistics by Federal Customs, as well as the efforts by the Ajman Department of Economic Development to significantly reduce the availability of counterfeit goods at the Ajman China Mall.

The USTR’s Special 301 Report puts a spotlight on foreign countries and laws, policies, and practices that fail to provide adequate and effective IP protection and enforcement for US inventors, creators, brands, manufacturers and service providers.

USTR reviewed more than 100 trading partners for this year’s report, placing 32 on the Priority Watch List or Watch List.

The UAE’s removal from the Watch List is the culmination of consistent and constructive cooperation between a range of UAE and US stakeholders.

Commenting on the announcement, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, said, "This decision is an endorsement of our progress. The UAE is committed to implementing robust IPP regulatory standards, including having an infringement and enforcement framework that upholds these standards."