28 November 2019
Regulatory developments on e-cigarettes in the UAE
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/uae/regulatory-developments-on-ecigarettes-in-the-uae

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology ("ESMA") issued a new set of standards, which came into effect from mid-April 2019, legalising the sale and use of electronic smoking devices.

18 July 2019
Counterfeit Mobile Devices – More Than Just a Security Risk
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/uae/counterfeit-mobile-devices-more-than-just-a-security-risk

A recent study conducted by the EU’s Intellectual Property Office (EU IPO), said that 180 million fake mobile phones are sold globally per annum (www.euipo.europa.eu – "The Economic Cost of IPR Infringement in the ...

28 January 2020
Shifting attitudes towards single use plastic in the UAE
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/uae/shifting-attitudes-towards-single-use-plastic-in-the-uae

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (“EAD”) has recently announced that it is preparing a draft policy on single-use plastic, which is due to be implemented in 2020. The EAD’s aim is to significantly reduce the use of ...

13 June 2019
New employment law – DIFC taking international cues
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2019/global/new-employment-law--difc-taking-international-cues

DIFC's new Employment Law is expected to offer a more secure work environment to all employees and is aimed at fostering robust working relationships between employer and employees.

27 November 2018
Key implications on the use of registered trade marks of Licensors in local trade names of Licensees in the Middle East.
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2018/uae/implications-on-use-of-trade-marks-of-licensors-in-local-trade-names-of-licensees

Melissa Murray and Ayah Abdin summarise the implications of a licensee using the registered trade marks of a Licensor in local trade names in the Middle East.

29 April 2020
UAE: Update for retailers during COVID-19
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/uae/uae-update-for-retailers-during-covid-19

As seen in other countries, the UAE has also started to ease some of the restrictions imposed in response to Covid-19. Whilst parts of shopping malls (such as ATMs, supermarkets and pharmacies) have remained open ...

01 April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on retail franchising in the UAE
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/uae/coronavirus-and-its-impact-on-retail-franchising-in-the-uae

COVID-19 and the subsequent government responses to the pandemic are having a significant impact on retail franchising globally. The UAE has also been impacted with (as the date of this article) mandatory closures of ...

30 August 2018
Distributorship or Franchise?
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2018/global/distributorship-or-franchise

We often see confusion about the differences between distribution and franchise agreements, and the situations in which each should be used. There are key differences between the two types of agreement and the ...

31 October 2018
UAE Tourist VAT Refund set to begin on 18 November 2018
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2018/uae/uae-tourist-vat-refund-set-to-begin-on-18-november-2018

The UAE Federal Tax Authority ("FTA") has announced that the first phase of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme (the "Scheme") will start on 18 November, 2018

28 September 2020
Influencers must obtain approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before promoting health products on social media platforms
www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2020/uae/influencers-must-obtain-approval-from-the-ministry-of-health-and-prevention-before-promoting

You may recall that in our previous article titled “Implications of the new National Media Council’s Regulations”, we touched upon the mandatory licensing requirement which must be met by social media bloggers and ...