UAE Opens Class 33 Trade Mark Protection for Alcoholic Beverages

UAE opens Class 33 for trade mark filings

The UAE Trade Mark Office is now accepting trade mark applications in Class 33, opening a direct route to protection for brands covering wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages.

Until now, Class 33 had not generally been available for trade mark registration in the UAE under local filing practice. Brand owners in the alcoholic beverage sector therefore often relied on alternative protection strategies, including registrations in related classes.

The change brings UAE filing practice more closely into line with the international Nice Classification system and gives relevant brand owners the opportunity to obtain protection in the class that directly corresponds to their products.

What Class 33 covers

Class 33 generally covers alcoholic beverages other than beer, as well as certain alcoholic preparations for making beverages.

Beer remains classified under Class 32. Under the updated UAE practice, references to beer can also now be accepted within Class 32.

For owners of established wine, spirits and alcoholic beverage brands, the development creates an opportunity to review whether their UAE trade mark portfolio accurately reflects the products they currently sell or intend to introduce to the market.

What about existing Class 32 registrations?

Existing Class 32 registrations do not become invalid because Class 33 is now available.

They may continue to be relevant when the Trade Mark Office examines later applications in related classes. However, businesses with important alcoholic beverage brands may wish to consider whether a direct Class 33 filing would provide clearer and more appropriate protection for those products.

Trade mark registration does not authorise the sale of alcohol

The change relates specifically to intellectual property protection.

Obtaining a trade mark registration in Class 33 does not itself authorise a company to import, distribute, advertise or sell alcoholic beverages in the UAE. Those activities remain subject to the applicable federal and Emirate-level licensing and regulatory requirements.

NUR Advisory Note

Businesses operating in the beverage, hospitality, distribution or retail sectors should consider reviewing their existing UAE trade mark registrations following this change.

For international brands already holding Class 33 protection in other jurisdictions, the development may also provide an opportunity to bring the UAE component of their trade mark portfolio into closer alignment with their international protection strategy.