It is reported that, despite notable progress in recent years in strengthening its intellectual property framework, the United Arab Emirates continues to face challenges in enforcing effective measures against online piracy. Rights holders have reported ongoing concerns, particularly urging the Telecommunication and Digital Regulatory Authority to cooperate with domain name registrars and other intermediaries to adopt stronger anti-infringement mechanisms. They have also called for enhanced action by customs authorities to prevent the importation of illegal decoders, as well as for additional restrictions on unauthorised free or subscription-based services that unlawfully retransmit television channels carrying copyright-protected content.

The United Arab Emirates has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

The United Arab Emirates has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

The United Arab Emirates lacks a comprehensive framework in place that provides effective protection of trade secrets, but there are limited measures addressing some issues related to them. Part 6 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2021 is the primary instrument covering “undisclosed information” as a form of industrial property. It defines what constitutes undisclosed information and specifies the scope of protection, but does not provide penalties or remedies for infringement. Complementary provisions are included in the Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022 (Commercial Transactions Law), which grants civil protection through unfair competition rules, including prohibitions on inducing employees to disclose a competitor’s trade secrets, with liability for damages in case of breach. In addition, the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law) criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of secrets obtained in the course of professional duties.

The country imposes a requirement for infrastructure sharing in order to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services to end-users. Pursuant to Art. 41 of Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003 regarding the Organisation of the Telecommunications Sector, Etisalat (one of the two telecom operators currently licensed to operate in the country) and its affiliated entities are required, upon request by the competent Authority, to provide connection to licensees seeking shared access to telecommunications infrastructure in a prompt, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
In addition, under Art. 14, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is vested with the authority to promulgate regulations, directives, decisions, and procedures governing the sharing of infrastructure among licensees, including the determination of terms, conditions, and pricing for such arrangements. The Interconnection Instructions impose obligations on licensed operators to enable passive infrastructure sharing. Sections 3.11-3.13 require operators to provide site sharing services, covering the joint use of mobile network sites such as towers, feeders, and associated rooms, and facility sharing services, which include passive elements like ducts, conduits, rights-of-way, poles, cabling, and power supply, supported by service level agreements to ensure operational reliability. Infrastructure sharing is also mandated under the prevailing regulatory framework. Complementing these requirements, Sections 4.6-4.8 establish procedural obligations for planning, forecasting, ordering, and maintaining shared sites, facilities, and infrastructure, ensuring that sharing arrangements are implemented systematically and in compliance with technical, environmental, and security standards.

Although the United Arab Emirates does not impose a uniform limit on foreign participation in the telecommunications sector, such participation remains subject to specific restrictions. The government limits foreign ownership in publicly listed companies within the sector and applies a screening regime that determines, on a case-by-case basis, the permissible proportion of foreign participation in telecommunications companies. Currently, only two public companies (Etisalat and "du") are licensed to provide public telecommunications services in the United Arab Emirates, and foreign ownership in these companies is effectively absent.
Art. 7 of the Federal Law No. 1 of 24 March 1991 Concerning the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation authorises foreign ownership of up to 49% in the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), the former incumbent operator. Similarly, since 23 February 2021, non-UAE nationals are permitted to hold up to 49% of the share capital in Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company ("du").
Moreover, as telecommunications activities are classified as “activities with a strategic impact,” additional restrictions on foreign ownership can be imposed. Pursuant to Art. 3 of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 55 of 2021, foreign investors seeking to engage in any of the strategic activities listed in Art. 2 must submit a licence application to the competent authority. In the telecommunications sector, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for approving foreign direct investment licence applications and determining the permissible proportion of foreign participation in a company’s capital. The TDRA has reportedly indicated that it is not considering the issuance of new licences at this time.

The government owns shares in the only two telecom companies licensed to operate in the country. The Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) is 60% owned by the Emirates Investment Authority, while the remaining 40% is held by public shareholders. Similarly, du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC) is majority controlled by public-sector investors, with approximately 50% owned by the Emirates Investment Authority and around 20% by DH 8 LLC, the investment holding company of the Government of Dubai, while the remaining 30% is held by public shareholders.

It is reported that the United Arab Emirates requires functional and accounting separation for telecommunications operators with significant market power (SMP). While the functional separation requirement has not been found in the legal texts, the accounting separation can be found in the Instructions Cost Accounting, Accounting Separation and LRIC Modelling.

It is reported that, under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Rules on Granting Priority in Government Procurements to National Products and Products of National Origin (1987), a 10% price preference is granted to products originating in other GCC member states over foreign products. Where the adjusted price of a foreign product equals or exceeds that of a national product, preference is given to the national product.

Lack of transparency in government tenders is reportedly a persistent concern among foreign stakeholders. In particular, foreign companies have highlighted deficiencies in the transparency of procurement procedures, along with difficulties related to delayed payments and the complexity of administrative requirements for obtaining remuneration.

The United Arab Emirates is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

Although the United Arab Emirates does not impose a uniform limit on foreign participation in the telecommunications sector, such participation remains subject to specific restrictions. The government limits foreign ownership in publicly listed companies within the sector and applies a screening regime that determines, on a case-by-case basis, the permissible proportion of foreign participation in telecommunications companies. Currently, only two public companies (Etisalat and "du") are licensed to provide public telecommunications services in the United Arab Emirates, and foreign ownership in these companies is effectively absent.
Art. 7 of the Federal Law No. 1 of 24 March 1991 Concerning the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation authorises foreign ownership of up to 49% in the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), the former incumbent operator. Similarly, since 23 February 2021, non-UAE nationals are permitted to hold up to 49% of the share capital in Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company ("du").
Moreover, as telecommunications activities are classified as “activities with a strategic impact,” additional restrictions on foreign ownership can be imposed. Pursuant to Art. 3 of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 55 of 2021, foreign investors seeking to engage in any of the strategic activities listed in Art. 2 must submit a licence application to the competent authority. In the telecommunications sector, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for approving foreign direct investment licence applications and determining the permissible proportion of foreign participation in a company’s capital. The TDRA has reportedly indicated that it is not considering the issuance of new licences at this time.

In accordance with Art. 3 of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (55) of 2021, foreign investors seeking to participate in any of the strategic activities listed in Art. 2, including the telecommunications sector, are required to submit a licence application to the competent authority. For the telecommunications sector, the Public Authority for the Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector and Digital Government must approve the FDI licence applications and determine: (i) the proportion of national and/or foreign participation in the company’s capital; and (ii) where applicable, the proportion of national and/or foreign representation on the board of directors.

It is reported that foreign applicants are required to undertake patent registration in the United Arab Emirates through a registered Emirati patent attorney.

The United Arab Emirates is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).