UAE’s Patent Hive initiative to reduce patent registration time to only 6 months

The UAE Ministry of Economy recently launched the "Patent Hive" initiative, aimed at increasing patent approval rates, encouraging innovation, and motivating talent to submit patent applications. By reducing registration fees and expediting the patent approval process, the plan seeks to significantly increase the number of patent registrations in the UAE, thereby enhancing the country's competitiveness in regional and global innovation.

The goal of the initiative is to reduce patent registration time from the current 42 months to just 6 months, and it plans to increase the number of registered patents from 4,481 to 6,000 by 2026. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, stated, "This initiative aims to attract individuals with groundbreaking ideas and projects in all key economic sectors, fully aligning with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which is to position the UAE as a leading global hub for the new economy."

The "Patent Hive" initiative has developed several strategies aimed at creating a comprehensive ecosystem that streamlines the patent registration process. The UAE has made significant progress in the field of intellectual property, which is a crucial cornerstone for driving national economic growth. The country is actively creating a favorable environment for the protection of intellectual property in various fields, with a particular focus on adhering to global best practices in patent registration and documentation. Furthermore, the UAE offers a number of supportive measures to promote innovation, research, and development projects.

The "Patent Hive" initiative is part of the intellectual property ecosystem launched by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the public and private sectors early last year. This ecosystem represents a significant milestone in the UAE's transformation towards a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy. By launching the "Patent Hive" initiative, the UAE also seeks to solidify its position in the top 15 of the Global Innovation Index (GII).

To encourage innovation among students and young scholars, the "Patent Hive" initiative offers a range of incentives, including reduced registration fees for students and a zero-cost policy for individuals under 21. These measures are designed to promote collaboration and integration between the UAE's research sector, universities, and SMEs. Additionally, the initiative includes professional training programs and technical consultations provided by the Ministry of Economy in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization, aimed at building the capacity of the local workforce and raising awareness of the importance of intellectual property. The "Patent Hive" initiative also aims to create a manual to facilitate coordination and joint action between the Ministry of Economy and the research sector, clarifying roles and responsibilities to ensure the delivery of high-quality results.