In conjunction with UAE Innovates 2025

Ministry of Economy launches ‘IP Sport’ initiative in collaboration with Ministry of Sports to enhance IP rights protection and stimulate innovation in national sports sector

• E. Al Saleh: The initiative contributes to the integration of IP applications into the country's sports sector

• E. Ghanem Al-Hajri: Innovation & IP protection key to supporting the sector’s development and attracting sustainable investments

The Ministry of Economy (MoEc) launched the ‘IP Sport’ initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports under the slogan ‘In the world of Sport, we respect IP rights as we respect the rules of the game’. The initiative aims to achieve a sustainable balance between adherence to fair play and respect for IP rights, while protecting sports trademarks in the country. It contributes to supporting and stimulating innovation and investment in the sports sector, creating an encouraging sporting environment that upholds IP rights, and raising awareness on these rights among those working in the sector. These efforts fall in line with national objectives to enhance the UAE's position as a leading global destination for innovation and creativity.

The initiative was launched at an event organized by the Ministry in the presence of the initiative’s partners, led by the Ministry of Sports, the Brand Owners’ Protection Group, the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, the UAE Sports Sciences Centre and Sports Medicine Center, Danube Sports World, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property -UAE, and the Dubai Intellectual Property Hub. It coincided with the UAE's celebration of Innovation Month this year under the theme ‘The UAE Innovates 2025’.

H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, explained that the UAE has established its leading position regionally and globally in developing a comprehensive system for the protection of IP rights based on international best practices. This was achieved through the adoption of advanced legislation and the launch of innovative initiatives that support creators and innovators across various sectors including sports, which is one of the key drivers of economic growth in the country. This contributes to solidifying the UAE’s status among the most innovative countries in the world, in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

H.E. Al Saleh indicated that the ‘IP Sport’ initiative, which is being implemented in collaboration with several relevant entities in the country, contributes to ensuring IP rights in all vital sectors in the country, particularly the sports sector. The initiative aims to provide a balanced sporting environment that supports innovation and protects the rights of all parties, while also enhancing its contribution to the growth and sustainability of the national economy. Additionally, the initiative offers those working in the sector all necessary tools to safeguard their innovations and creative works from any violation or unlawful use.

The Undersecretary said in his speech at the event: "The Ministry of Economy remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening intellectual property protection across all sectors in the UAE. It provides all necessary regulatory, legislative, and technological enablers to safeguard ideas and creativity within the business environment, encouraging individuals and entities to adhere to intellectual property regulations. Furthermore, it ensures comprehensive protection for thinkers, talents, creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs through the continuous development and refinement of economic policies and legislations. Most notably, these include laws on the regulation and protection of industrial property rights, trademarks, and copyright and neighboring rights, reaffirming the country’s proactive approach in this vital economic sector."

H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, highlighted the significance of the ‘IP Sport’ initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, as a testament to the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to fostering awareness on intellectual property rights in the sports sector. H.E. said: "The initiative reaffirms our dedication to upholding the core values of the Ministry of Sports - governance, partnership, and achievement - as we strive to propel UAE sports to new heights of excellence. This is achieved through various strategic pathways, including protection of intellectual property rights, encouraging innovation, and attracting strategic investments in this vital sector.”

H.E. added: "Safeguarding sports trademarks and patents for advanced technologies and equipment is essential for developing the national sports infrastructure and enhancing our ability to attract foreign investments, in line with the UAE’s vision to build a future-ready economy based on knowledge and innovation. Furthermore, this initiative creates a safe sporting environment that protects the rights of creators and innovators while ensuring sports content remains shielded from unauthorized access."

H.E. Al Hajeri noted that the IP Sport initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aims to increase the sector’s contribution to the non-oil GDP to 0.5 per cent by 2031. This goal will be realized through supporting innovative projects, cultivating effective partnerships between sports institutions, businesses, and investors, and ensuring full protection of national sports innovations, thereby solidifying the UAE’s position as a global hub for sports innovation.

The IP Sport initiative seamlessly integrates intellectual property rights protection into the sports sector by encouraging sports trademark owners to register their trademarks and take all necessary measures to safeguard them. This includes protecting team names and club logos from unauthorized use, as they are crucial assets for the industry’s growth. Additionally, it ensures the protection of sports content creators, such as documentary filmmakers and article writers, by guaranteeing that their work is broadcasted or published only with the authorization of rights holders, as these are legally protected intellectual works. Moreover, the initiative offers robust protection to all sports-related innovations and patents, including advanced equipment, cutting-edge technologies, and more.

By the end of 2024, the total number of registered national and international trademarks in the UAE stood at 370,600, including 1,909 trademarks in the sports sector. Moreover, the number of patents registered in the country reached 6,162. Meanwhile, the total number of registered intellectual works reached 21,268 and industrial designs amounted to 9,503.