Temporary Extensions for Submission of POAs in the UAE and Qatar

Please be advised that the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have both implemented temporary measures to address current regional logistical challenges and courier service disruptions. In UAE, while the standard non-extendable deadline for submitting a legalized POA is 90 days from the filing date, the Trademark Office will now allow an additional 30-day extension upon the filing of a formal request at no cost. This administrative flexibility ensures that TM applications including an undertaking to submit legalized POA remain valid despite potential delays in receiving original POA.

In parallel, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar has issued an official circular establishing a temporary and exceptional mechanism for submission of legalized POAs. Under these new guidelines, trademark applications may be filed using a copy of the POA legalized up to the Qatari Consulate abroad or even without the POA along with an undertaking to submit original legalized version up to Qatari Consulate and Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 90 days from the filing date to complete the full legalization chain, which also includes the necessary Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. This procedure allows the formal examination and acceptance of the trademark to proceed without delay, though the original fully legalized POA must be submitted before the final registration certificate is issued.

At JAH Intellectual Property, we automatically submit the required undertaking letters on behalf of our valued clients and associates to ensure that filing deadlines are met with minimal risk. We facilitate these extensions without any additional professional or official fees to ensure that your intellectual property matters are handled efficiently and without interruption.

UKIPO: Official Fee Increases in UKIPO

Please be advised that the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) will increase its official fees for trademarks, designs, and patents by an average of 25% effective April 1, 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. The current fee structure will remain in effect until March 31, 2026.

In light of this upcoming change, we recommend that clients review their filing strategies and take any necessary actions before the implementation date to avoid the higher UKIPO fees.