DUBAI GOV’T CLOSES THE NAME “DUBAI” FOR BUSINESS TRADEMARKS
May 5th, 2009 Posted in General Domain NewsFrom an article published here:
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“Dubai as a trademark is no longer available for new private businesses, confirmed government officials who are involved in the issuance of the trade licences in the emirate.
Officials at the Dubai Authority of Economic Development have stressed that Dubai as a name is now only a government property.
However, the official website of the Dubai Authority of Economic Development does not convey this latest development.
The emirate, however, houses almost 500 private businesses with the Dubai as a name in their trademark, including laundry, foodstuff suppliers, medical centres, hotels, schools and automotive services.
An official from the Licensing Department at DED said there was a regulation issued that would refuse any applications for new businesses wishing to have Dubai or any abbreviation or acronym that refers to Dubai in their trademark. Yet, old businesses who have had Dubai as part of their trade name will not be forced to change it or be fined for it. Companies using Dubai or DXB on their logos or corporate profiles including stationery, as an extension of their names before the regulation was issued will not be allowed to acquire official licences to keep that name.”
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Well, since one of my favorite domains, DOWNTOWNDUBAI.COM was registered in 2004, it is excused from this new Dubai government mandate. (I’m sure the last company that offered $15,000 for the domain was hoping for some other outcome). If anyone is interested, this domain is available for a BIN of $25,000 OBO.
Contact me at the whois registration email address or successclick [at] gmaildotcom


