License must for social media marketing in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has issued Ministerial Resolution 619/2022 regulating the practice of marketing and promotion activity on websites and social media.

The regulation was published in the Official Gazette on Sunday.

The regulation gives the concerned parties six months from the date of its enforcement to obtain a license to practice this activity.

"Marketing and promotional activities may only be practiced after obtaining a license to do so from the competent department. Those excluded from obtaining the license are persons who practice non-profit activities such as charitable and voluntary work, and the activities carried out by the merchant for the commodity or service that he sells or provides himself, provided that the merchant adheres to the other provisions contained in these regulations," the decision said.

The decision defines marketing and promotion activity as 'marketing and promoting any good or service by displaying or publishing in writing, drawing, image, symbol, sound, or

by any other means on websites or social media.'

The guidelines to be followed by the licensees are

• Submission of the license number.


• Not to offend the religions and beliefs.


• Respect for the basic system of the state, laws, and decisions.


• Respect for the cultural heritage.


• Not to spread malicious or misleading rumors and news.


• Respect the national identity of the Sultanate of Oman.


• Not to broadcast any data or information that offends individuals or any social groups and incites hatred and violence.


• Not to infringe on intellectual property rights.


• Not to market and promote tobacco and smoke of all kinds and methods of consumption.


• The promotion or marketing must be real and not exaggerated.


• The regulation specified the imposition of penalties for violators of its provisions, and it includes several penalties - a warning, an administrative fine not exceeding RO1,000, suspension of the license for a period not exceeding one year and complete license revocation.