2025 Intellectual Property Year in Review: How the MENA Region Strengthened Protection, Enforcement and Innovation Frameworks

As 2025 draws to a close, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) frameworks to support innovation, encourage investment and modernise legal systems. Across the region, governments, IP offices and courts have taken significant steps to enhance IP protection, streamline procedures, expand enforcement mechanisms and embrace new technologies, laying a strong foundation for future growth in creativity, technology and commercial competitiveness.

Below, we highlight the most significant IP developments of 2025 across trademarks, patents, policy and enforcement, reviewed on a country-by-country basis.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE’s IP ecosystem remained at the forefront of regional progress throughout 2025.

Trademarks and Registration Growth

• The UAE recorded strong growth in IP registrations, with trademark applications and overall IP filings continuing to rise sharply through 2024 and into 2025.
  
  
• Increased enquiries and filings reflected sustained confidence among brand owners and innovators seeking robust protection in the market.
  
  

Policy and Enforcement Enhancements

• Cabinet Resolution No. 102 introduced substantial reductions in trademark fees, including incentives for SMEs and fee waivers for people of determination, making brand protection more accessible and affordable.
  
  
• A national roadmap for Green IP was launched, encouraging innovation in sustainability and emerging technologies.
  
  

Cultural and Creative Rights

• The UAE established its first Geographical Indications (GI) system, strengthening protection for distinctive local products such as regional honey and traditional crafts.
  
  
• The country licensed its first national collective management organisation (CMO) for music rights, marking a major milestone for creators in the music and entertainment sectors.
  
  

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s IP advancements in 2025 reflected its broader economic transformation agenda.

Global Recognition

• The Kingdom continued its upward trajectory in the Global Intellectual Property Index, ranking among the world’s fastest-improving economies according to the US Chamber of Commerce.
  
  

Strategic Enhancements

• Design protection terms were extended, enforcement tools strengthened and digital systems upgraded to enhance copyright and trademark protection.
  
  
• Saudi Arabia became the first IP office in the region to join the WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS), facilitating international access to examination reports and smoother global filings.
  
  

Judicial Transparency

• A collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and WIPO aims to publish IP court decisions, increasing transparency and providing greater precedential clarity for rights holders.
  
  

Other MENA Countries – Key Developments

Iraq

• The trademark classification system was modernised through adoption of the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification, aligning national practice with international standards.
  
  

Lebanon

• Trademark assignment procedures were simplified by removing the requirement to submit original certificates, reducing administrative burdens.
  
  

Libya

• A structured trademark renewal fee system was introduced, offering flexible payment options and simplified recordal procedures.
  
  

Tanzania

• Import regulations now mandate trademark recordation for all goods entering the market, strengthening border enforcement measures.
  
  

Yemen

• Trademark fees and procedures were updated, including new surcharges for additional goods and services and specific declarations for certain classes, such as pharmaceuticals.
  
  

Bahrain

• Bahrain expanded its Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) network through new partnerships, accelerating patent examination for international applicants.
  
  

Patent and Innovation Highlights

United Arab Emirates

• Accelerated patent pathways were implemented for sustainability-related inventions, alongside an agreement with the USPTO to recognise favourable foreign examination results, significantly reducing grant timelines.
  
  

Saudi Arabia

• The issuance of the Kingdom’s 20,000th patent marked a major milestone in national innovation, driven by increased filings and design registrations.
  
  

Türkiye

• Türkiye became the first country to join China’s Belt and Road Accelerated Patent Examination Programme, reinforcing international patent collaboration.
  
  

Jordan and Pakistan

• Jordan refined its plant variety protection framework and fee structures, while Pakistan launched inventor support programmes aimed at nurturing early-stage innovation.
  
  

Ethiopia

• Ethiopia joined the Paris Convention, granting enhanced protection and priority rights to both domestic and foreign applicants.
  
  

Policy, Enforcement and Institutional Progress

Oman

• A new Investment and Trade Court commenced operations with exclusive jurisdiction over IP disputes, competition law matters and e-commerce cases.

Qatar

• The National Institute for Innovation and Scientific Research was established, signalling a coordinated national approach to R&D and IP development.

Egypt

• EGIPA updated fees across patents, plant varieties and copyright recordals to modernise administrative processes.

Morocco

• A cooperation agreement with WIPO strengthened copyright frameworks and protections for cultural heritage.

Syria

• Following the easing of sanctions, the liberalisation of domain name registration opened new digital opportunities for rights holders and businesses.
  
  

Regional Enforcement and Digital Evolution

Across the MENA region, enforcement capabilities expanded through:

• Stronger customs controls and border-level trademark protection;
• Increased seizures of counterfeit goods;
• Wider use of online takedown mechanisms; and
• Enhanced digital infrastructure enabling remote filing and examination.
  
  

These developments reflect a clear regional commitment to safeguarding brands, technologies and creative works in an increasingly digital global economy.

Conclusion: 2025 in Perspective

2025 marked a milestone year for intellectual property across the MENA region. Through legislative modernisation, cross-border cooperation, enhanced enforcement and accelerated patent pathways, the region demonstrated a sustained commitment to building an innovation-friendly IP environment.

As governments continue to refine legal frameworks and strengthen institutions, MENA is emerging not only as a centre for economic diversification, but also as a fertile landscape for innovators, creators and global brands seeking meaningful protection and long-term commercial opportunity.

 

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