UAE – Opposition Against Safinac

On behalf of our client, we filed an application for registration for “Safinac” in UAE under number 160671 in class 5. The application was published in the Official Gazette number 112 dated 29 November 2011.

An opposition was filed against our client’s application on 28 February 2012 for alleged similarity between our client’s mark “Sadinac” and the opposer’s mark “safetac”.

Accordingly, we filed a counter statement based on the following:

• Our client’s mark “Safinac” is registered and used in several neighbouring countries since 2008;
• Prior use of “Safinac” by our client in the UAE;
• The opposer has used its trademark only in the neighbouring countries, while our client has prior use in the UAE and in neighbouring countries, and
• Dissimilarity between both marks in terms of pronunciation.

After reviewing our arguments, the Registrar issued its decision to allow our client’s trademark to register.

For more information, please contact uae@qumsieh.com.