Consumer Protection Rules
Consumer Protection Rules In Iraq, consumer protection rules apply to advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns to prevent misleading, deceptive, or unfair commercial practices. Marketing claims involving pricing, performance, endorsements, product characteristics, warranties, health benefits, and competitive comparisons must be truthful, evidence-based, and clearly communicated to consumers. Advertisers and agencies may be held responsible for inaccurate or misleading claims, and authorities may require campaign modifications, impose administrative penalties, or suspend campaigns that fail to comply with applicable consumer protection standards. With the growth of digital marketing, influencer advertising, sponsored content, and online promotions in Iraq, compliance with advertising regulations has become increasingly relevant for brands, agencies, and platforms. Clear disclosures and transparent communication reduce legal exposure and protect both consumers and brands from compliance risks. Compliance Elements for Advertising & Marketing Campaigns Campaigns should ensure: Truthful representation of products and services Transparent pricing and promotional terms Avoidance of exaggerated or unsupported claims Clear disclaimers where required Accurate substantiation for performance or benefit claims Regulatory Considerations in Iraq Advertisers operating in Iraq should implement compliance controls such as: Validating accuracy of client claims before publication Avoiding omissions that could mislead consumers Maintaining documentation supporting factual claims Cooperating with complaint handling and regulatory inquiries Why Compliance Matters for Brands & Agencies Strong compliance frameworks support: Reduced risk of regulatory penalties Fewer disputes with consumers or competitors Enhanced brand credibility and trust Safer use of influencers and sponsored content Alignment with sector-specific regulations (e.g., food, cosmetics, telecom, finance) How Etihad Can Assist Etihad Law advises brands, advertising agencies, media firms, and digital platforms in Iraq on: Advertising compliance & regulatory reviews Consumer protection advisory Claim substantiation & documentation assessment Sponsored content & influencer compliance Complaint handling & dispute management
Foreign Advertising Agencies Working in Iraq
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
Agency Obligations in Regulated Sectors
Agency Obligations in Regulated Sectors Advertising in regulated sectors such as financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, and telecommunications may require additional approvals or compliance checks. Misrepresentation or non-compliant claims can trigger regulatory penalties or consumer protection actions. Regulated Advertising Categories Banking and investment products Insurance and financial promotions Medical services and pharmaceutical products Telecom and digital plans Education and training institutions Regulatory Verify content accuracy and claims Secure necessary approvals when required Avoid misleading or deceptive promotional practices Disclose risks for certain product categories How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Intellectual Property Rights (IP) in Creative Advertising Work
Intellectual Property Rights (IP) in Creative Advertising Work Advertising campaigns involve creative materials such as designs, images, scripts, videos, slogans, and brand assets. IP ownership must be clearly defined to avoid disputes between agencies, clients, and third-party contributors such as photographers, designers, influencers, or production houses. IP Considerations Copyright ownership and assignment Licensing and usage rights Duration and territorial rights Third-party asset clearance (music, footage, artwork) Talent appearance and likeness rights Compliance Clarify ownership in contracts Secure rights from third-party contributors Avoid unlicensed use of protected content Document usage rights for audit or dispute resolution How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Digital Advertising Services and Regulatory Considerations in Iraq
Digital Advertising Services and Regulatory Considerations in Iraq Digital advertising through social platforms, search engines, and ad networks is rapidly expanding in Iraq. Agencies offering digital advertising services must consider platform policies, intellectual property issues, data protection, and regulatory restrictions on certain content or industries. Regulatory Considerations Compliance with content rules and cultural standards Use of paid ads, sponsored content, and influencer campaigns Tracking and data usage disclosures Restrictions on financial, health, and political advertisements Compliance Align campaigns with sector-specific rules Ensure transparency for sponsored content Obtain approvals for sensitive campaign categories Advise clients on compliance risks How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Contracting Models
Contracting Models Advertising engagements in Iraq are typically governed by service contracts that define deliverables, intellectual property (IP) ownership, talent usage rights, timelines, performance metrics, and fee structures. Proper contracting reduces legal disputes and clarifies risk allocation, especially where third-party platforms, talent, or media buying are involved. Contractual Elements Scope of work and deliverables Fees, media budgets, and payment terms Performance obligations and review processes IP ownership and usage rights Termination and contract exit conditions Liability allocation and indemnities Risk Considerations Rights over creative materials Use of music, images, or trademarks Talent and influencer rights Campaign performance expectations How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Advertising Agency Compliance
Advertising Agency Compliance Advertising agencies must ensure campaigns comply with national content regulations, cultural norms, and sector-specific rules. The Communications and Media Commission (CMC) and other authorities oversee advertising related to sensitive themes, public interest, religious content, and regulated industries. Non-compliance can lead to fines, takedowns, campaign suspension, or reputational exposure for both the agency and the client. Content Compliance Avoidance of prohibited or culturally sensitive content Compliance with restrictions for minors and protected groups Proper classification and labeling for certain categories Approval procedures for campaigns in regulated sectors (health, finance, etc.) CMC Regulatory Screen creative materials before publication Respond to complaints and regulatory inquiries Retain campaign records and documentation Cooperate with monitoring and enforcement actions How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
License of Advertising Agency
License of Advertising Agency Advertising agencies operating in Iraq must comply with corporate registration and licensing requirements before providing marketing, media, or creative services. Licensing is intended to regulate commercial representation, ensure compliance with media standards, and support consumer protection. Both domestic and foreign agencies must understand Iraq’s legal environment, especially when engaging in public sector or sensitive sector campaigns. License and Registration Requirements Company registration with competent authorities Commercial activity classification for advertising services Tax registration and reporting compliance Registration with sector-specific bodies when relevant (e.g., media, CMC) Foreign agency partnership or representation arrangements (if applicable) Regulatory Operate under declared commercial activities Maintain lawful content production and distribution practices Comply with sector regulations applicable to advertising Maintain proper contracts and disclosure records How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Future of Digital Infrastructure & 5G in Iraq
Future of Digital Infrastructure & 5G in Iraq Iraq is exploring the modernization of its digital infrastructure, including 5G deployment, nationwide fiber expansion, and modernization of backbone networks. 5G adoption will enable advanced use cases across healthcare, transportation, logistics, industrial automation, and smart city initiatives. Regulatory preparation will be essential to support spectrum allocation, investment incentives, and cybersecurity safeguards. Future Development Areas 5G spectrum planning and auctions Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) rollout expansion Internet exchange points and backbone upgrades IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) services Cloud, data center, and edge computing infrastructure CMC Compliance Develop spectrum frameworks for 5G Support infrastructure competition and sharing Establish cyber and privacy standards for emerging tech Promote investment and foreign participation How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.
Data Privacy & User Rights Protection
Data Privacy & User Rights Protection Telecom and media companies collect large volumes of subscriber data, including personal, location, usage, and behavioral information. Regulators are increasingly focused on privacy, consent, data usage transparency, and user rights. While Iraq does not yet maintain a unified data protection law, sector-specific obligations are enforced through CMC directives and cybersecurity standards. Data Protection Requirements Lawful collection and processing of data User consent for data usage Secure data storage and transmission Disclosure controls for third-party access Breach notification mechanisms (where applicable) CMC Compliance Protect subscriber data from unauthorized access Maintain confidentiality and access controls Respond to regulatory inquiries regarding data handling Support lawful interception under due process How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.