The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and the UAE Ministry of Economy have officially launched the Dubai Intellectual Property Hub (DIPH), marking the UAE’s first centralized hub for intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets (IA). This initiative aims to empower innovators, artists, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, and startups.
The announcement was made during the “IP2024: Glimpse on the Future of IP” event held at the Museum of the Future, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the UAE Ministry of Economy and DFF. The signing was attended by notable figures, including Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the Ministry of Economy; and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF.
As part of the MoU, the Ministry of Economy’s feature for registering intangible assets will be integrated into the Dubai Intellectual Property Hub.
A New Platform for Innovation
This new platform enhances Dubai’s position as a technology hub and will benefit a diverse range of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, artists, creatives, researchers, and academics in fields such as creative design, sustainability, health, education, and law.
Minister Al Marri emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures innovation, stimulates idea development, and supports the growth of creative businesses. The nation has established a comprehensive legislative and institutional framework, enhanced by integrated services to protect intellectual property rights in line with international best practices. These efforts are essential for achieving the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aspires to position the UAE as a global leader in the new economy and among the top 10 destinations for talent and creativity in the coming decade.
Al Marri stated that the launch of the Dubai IP Hub, in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation, represents a significant advancement in strengthening intellectual property protections for the creative industries in Dubai and throughout the UAE.
Supporting Economic Growth through R&D
This strategic initiative provides entrepreneurs, authors, creatives, and researchers with the tools and resources necessary to secure and formalize their innovations, reinforcing the nation’s economy, which increasingly relies on creativity and innovation.
Khalfan Belhoul remarked, “The collaboration with the Ministry of Economy in developing this platform is part of our ongoing efforts to advance the UAE’s legislative framework, enhance the readiness of all economic sectors, and create a robust R&D ecosystem. By providing essential tools for business growth, we aim to support their expansion within the UAE, the region, and globally.”
Belhoul further stated, “The launch of the Dubai IP Hub aims to create a comprehensive and reliable resource for entrepreneurs, offering seamless access to vital information, resources, guidance, and cost details related to intellectual property registration. We are committed to collaborating with key stakeholders across government, legislative, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors to establish Dubai and the UAE as global leaders in creativity and innovation.”
Focusing on four main pillars, the DIPH will offer guidelines for registering all types of intellectual property through a seamless digital experience. It will serve as a comprehensive and trusted source of information and provide guidance on IP protection and commercial exploitation by equipping businesses with the necessary tools to develop effective IP strategies.
One of the hub’s key features is a user-friendly digital interface that centralizes all relevant information, tools, guidelines, and resources in a single, easily accessible platform.
