Qatar's New Advertising Law

Anyone entering Qatar by way of the Doha International Airport has no doubt noticed the large billboards prominently advertising upcoming events, new real estate developments, fast cars, hot fashions, and any other information of potential interest to people here. Historically billboard advertisements were governed by Law No (4) of 1980. However in March 2012 a new Law No (1) of 2012 was promulgated setting out new requirements in relation to the control and placement of advertisements (Advertising Law).

Pursuant to the Advertising Law an advertisement is broadly defined as any means of communication aimed at informing the public or a specific sector of the public about certain industrial or commercial goods or products, devices, machinery, activities, or commercial, industrial, or professional acts whether through writings, drawings, images, sound, lights, or other means of expression and whether the advertisement appears on wood, metal, paper, cloth, plastic, or other material.

Prior to displaying an advertisement a licence must be obtained from the relevant municipality in which the advertisement will appear (Relevant Municipality), and the related fees and insurance charges must be paid. An applicant seeking a licence will be required to complete an application form accompanied by a drawing or sketch detailing the content of the advertisement.

There are several specific prerequisites that an advertisement must satisfy prior to the issuance of a licence by the Relevant Municipality.

These prerequisites are as follows:

The primary language of the advertisement must be Arabic. Translations into other languages is permitted subject to the specific controls determined by the Relevant Municipality; The advertisement content must not be injurious to Islam or any other religion; The advertisement must not be contrary to public order, morals, traditions, or customs; The design of the advertisement must not be similar to traffic signs or other official signage, whether in relation size, form, or colour; The advertisement may not be constructed in such a way as to hinder traffic or pedestrians, impede the functioning of traffic lights, or obstruct rescue operations; If the advertisement is erected on a plot of land not owned by the applicant applying for the licence, then the written approval of the land owner or his representative must be obtained; Installing the advertisement must not cause harm to public facilities, endanger lives or property...