The UAE’s Ministry of Economy recently launched the Patent Hive initiative to boost the approval rate of patents, encourage innovation and motivate talents to submit patent applications.
By reducing registration expenses and accelerating the patenting process, the initiative aims to drive a significant increase in the number of patents registered in the UAE, enhancing the nation’s competitiveness on regional and global fronts in innovation and creativity.
“Designed to attract individuals with groundbreaking ideas and projects across key economic sectors, the initiative aligns perfectly with the goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ Vision, which aims to position the UAE as a leading global hub for the new economy,” stated Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy.
Initiative to increase registered patents to 6,000 by 2026
The Patent Hive initiative outlines several strategies designed to create a comprehensive ecosystem that streamlines the process of patent registration. The main objective is to reduce the time needed for patent registration from 42 months to only 6 months.
The initiative also seeks to increase the number of registered patents from 4,481 to 6,000 by 2026, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation.
The UAE has made significant strides in advancing the intellectual property (IP) sector, a vital cornerstone for driving the growth of the national economy.
The country has actively created a conducive environment for IP protection in different fields, with a particular focus on adhering to best global practices in patent registration and documentation. Additionally, the UAE has offered several supportive enablers and facilities to foster innovation, research, and development-based initiatives.
The Patent Hive initiative comes as part of the IP ecosystem, launched by the ministry at the beginning of last year, in partnership with the public and private sectors. This ecosystem represents a crucial milestone in UAE’s transition towards a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy.
With the launch of the Patent Hive initiative, the UAE also seeks to solidify its position among the top 15 countries on the Global Innovation Index (GII).
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Incentives for students and scholars
To encourage innovation among students and young scholars, the Patent Hive initiative provides a range of incentives, including reduced registration fees for students and a zero-cost policy for young people under the age of 21. These measures aim to foster collaboration and integration among the UAE’s scientific research sectors, universities and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In addition, the initiative includes specialized training programs and technical consultations provided by the ministry in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization. These efforts aim to build the capacities of the local workforce and raise awareness about the significance of IP.
The Patent Hive initiative also aims to create a manual that will facilitate the coordination and joint operations between the ministry and the scientific research sectors, defining roles and responsibilities to ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs.