Etihad Law

Foreign Advertising Agencies Working in Iraq

Foreign advertising and media agencies entering the Iraqi market through direct operations, joint ventures, partnerships, or project-based engagements must navigate the local legal environment governing corporate setup, tax compliance, content approvals, production logistics, and advertising regulatory standards. Operating without proper legal alignment exposes agencies to contractual, tax, and regulatory risks that can affect project execution and revenue collection.

Iraq’s growing advertising ecosystem which includes digital marketing, influencer campaigns, broadcast media, OOH, and brand activations makes legal clarity essential for agencies supporting multinational brands, regional campaigns, and cross-border service delivery. Beyond creative and production considerations, agencies must assess how Iraqi laws apply to invoicing, profit repatriation, IP usage, and compliance with advertising content rules.

Market Entry Considerations for Foreign Agencies

Foreign agencies should evaluate:

  • Legal entity setup or local representation
  • Tax registration and invoicing procedures
  • Cross-border service compliance requirements
  • Content and media regulatory alignment
  • Contracting structures and jurisdiction clauses
  • IP licensing and brand usage mechanisms

Regulatory Compliance in Iraq

Key compliance practices include:

  • Partnering with local entities for execution & campaign deployment
  • Complying with local content restrictions & sector-specific rules
  • Documenting IP, brand usage & content rights for localized campaigns
  • Handling talent, production & location contracts via Iraqi entities

How Etihad Can Assist

Etihad Law supports foreign advertising agencies with:

  • Market entry structuring & corporate setup
  • Tax & invoicing compliance for cross-border services
  • Advertising & media regulatory advisory
  • IP, licensing & content usage documentation
  • Production, talent & influencer contracting
  • Dispute prevention & contractual enforcement