Following a review conducted by the European Union on countries with low or nominal corporate tax, the committee prescribed the ‘Economic Substance Regulations’ and requested that the low tax jurisdictions review their own regulations and make efforts to ensure their compliance with best practices. The purpose of the regulations is to impede potentially harmful tax…
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, challenges are being presented to the plant industry as the biggest flows of wildlife in terms of trade involves plants and not animals. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a close eye on the plant sector as well as supporting businesses involved in the trade of plants…
In Oman, the registration, use and enforcement of trademarks is regulated by the Law of Industrial Property Rights, promulgated under Royal Decree No. 67/2008, the (“IP Law”). The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (“MOCI”) issued the Executive Regulations of the IP law, which govern the application of the law and its provision, under Ministerial Decision…
In line with other economic relief measures implemented by the UAE Government, the UAE Cabinet issued the Ministerial Decree number 20-2020, “the Decree” on 31 March 2020 which applies further reductions on official fees for 104 different services provided by the UAE Ministry of Economy. Trademark services in particular benefit from this decree as it…
The Dubai Government issued decree number 6 of 2020 in relation to advertisement regulations. This new decree sets out new guidelines, regulations and permits criteria for all physical advertisements, such as signages, outdoor billboards, promotions, leaflets, roads, commercials and others. Historically, there was a decree number 30 of 1986 that was issued in Dubai to…
We are frequently asked the question: are we allowed to publish, post, republish any information, content, picture, video or data on COVID-19 when using our private social media accounts? Afterall, it is in the public interest and everyone is doing it! In an era where often more questions arise than answers, the public is eager…
Promotions Arsalan Tariq has been named Partner at BSA Al Rashdi & Al Barwani Advocates and legal consultants. Practicing since 2009, Arsalan specializes in Islamic and conventional finance, bilateral and syndicated project finance, acquisition finance, Islamic product development, cross-border financing and financial restructuring. Arsalan will continue working from BSA’s DIFC office in Dubai, attending events…
Munir Suboh discusses Competition Law and how it has evolved in the region from the Practitioners Perspective. Munir Suboh, Partner and Head of Intellectual Property Practice at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP examines the implementation of the UAE’s Competition Law. Federal Law No. 4/2012 on the Regulation of Competition has been in force…
Intellectual Property Right Assignments Q&A: United Arab Emirates Key aspects of intellectual property right assignments Definition of IP rights 1. Does the definition of “Intellectual Property Rights” in Standard document, Assignment of intellectual property rights: Cross-border: clause 1.1 include any rights that are not recognised in your jurisdiction? If yes, what are those rights? The…
INTA’s Anticounterfeiting Committee, Middle East and Africa Subcommittee recently held two policy dialogues in the United Arab Emirates to discuss the issue of online counterfeiting. The dialogues, organized by Subcommittee member Munir Suboh (BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP, United Arab Emirates), were held on June 20 and July 1, in Abu Dhabi and…
To ensure efficiency and streamlining with international best practice, namely in trademark prosecution and the enforcement of registered rights, the UAE Ministry of Economy has issued an administrative order to decrease and waive some of the core official fees associated with their trademark registration and enforcement services. Following an increase to such fees in 2015, the…
1. What is the relevant legislative framework? The laws and regulations governing antitrust and competition (cartel) in the United Arab Emirates are as follows: (a) The Federal Law No. 4 of 2012 on the Regulation of Competition (“UAE Competition Law”), which has been in force since 23 February 2013 and which aims – according to Article…