UAE: InstaBlock Initiative to Improve the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of Creative Works on Digital Platforms Launched

Arabian Business, 8 March 2024: The UAE’s Economy Ministry has announced the launch of a new InstaBlock initiative to help improve the protection of intellectual property rights of creative works on digital platforms.

It will immediately ban and block websites that violate the rights of authors and creators. Websites that display their works across various platforms without obtaining permission for publication or broadcast will also be immediately banned and blocked.

A centre will also be designed and established together with relevant entities to monitor intellectual property right infringements and block non-compliant websites to protect right holders.

Through the initiative, the Ministry will provide a Live Ban service. This will enable complaints related to copyright infringement concerning live streaming online to be submitted.

A group consisting of the Ministry, the TDRA and representatives of rights holders will be established and will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure legislation protecting intellectual property rights regarding these complaints is swiftly implemented.

It has been launched to provide a safe environment from violations for owners of exclusive rights.

It has been launched in line with the best international practices in this area and has been launched together with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

The new mechanism focuses on addressing any violations of intellectual property rights, regardless of whether they are literary works or multimedia content like videos.

It also aims to raise awareness about the need to respect intellectual property rights when various content display platforms are being used.

In addition, it aims to educate intellectual property rights holders about the Ministry’s tools and services to help them protect their intellectual property rights from infringement and piracy.

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UAE: First Digital Islamic Bank Launched

Al Bayan, 1 March 2024: The first digital Islamic bank has been launched in the country.

Roya Local Islamic Bank has launched its services in the UAE.

It describes itself as offering digital, modern and advanced Islamic banking services.

It is licensed by the Central Bank and aims to professionally and seamlessly integrate advanced technology with the basic principles of Islamic finance, to meet the requirements of individuals and companies. It also aims to provide a seamless digital banking experience and provide the highest levels of security and modernity.

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UAE: Removed From ‘Grey List’ by FATF

Arab News, 24 February 2024: The international organisation responsible for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, the Financial Action Task Force or FATF, has announced it has removed the UAE from its grey list.

It did so after the authorities in the UAE implemented all 15 of its recommendations.

The UAE authorities reported significant progress in addressing significant anti-money laundering and terrorist financing deficiencies identified during FATF’s evaluations.

The UAE authorities had committed to implementing an action plan swiftly to fix the strategic deficiencies identified within agreed timeframes.

Removal from the list means the UAE will no longer be subject to monitoring by FATF.

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UAE: Implementation of Heavy Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations Postponed

Arabian Business, 19 February 2024: The UAE’s Cabinet has announced it has issued a Decision postponing the implementation of Ministerial Decision No. 138/2023 (the heavy vehicle weight and dimension regulations).

It has asked the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry to extensively study its rationale for the decision.

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UAE: Circular on Rules for Deducting Loan Repayments From Pensions Issued

Al Bayan, 12 February 2024: The UAE’s General Pensions and Social Security Authority has issued a circular to employers in the public and private sectors to highlight the rules for the deductions of pensions or end-of-service gratuities in line with Federal Decree-Law No. 57/2023.

The Circular states that deductions from the pension or end-of-service gratuity must only be limited to the Authority’s debt. The Authority therefore must not make any deductions in favour of any other debts, whether they were in the interest of the employer or alimony debts.

The Decision came into force on 9 February 2024.

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UAE: Draft Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa Law Approved

Al Bayan, 31 January 2024: The UAE’s Federal National Council has approved a draft federal law regarding the Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa.

It will organise the Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa and grant it the necessary capabilities to organise fatwa affairs and consolidate the status of the fatwa in line with the national identity of the state locally and globally.

The draft law specifies various penalties which will be imposed on offenders.

These include a fine of between 10,000 AED and 200,000 AED for anyone who issues a general legal fatwa in the country on any of the issues and topics that concern the Council.

In addition, the facility may be closed and the website blocked.

The Court may also order the closure of the violating facility or institution or block the platform or website that published the fatwa in violation of the provisions of the law or the decisions issued to implement it.

For more information, click here .

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