Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

MoCI warns against using official emblems without licence

1356516
1356516
minus
plus

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has seized military uniforms sold in local markets contrary to the Ministerial Decision No 270/2015. The Directorate-General of Commerce and Industry in Suhar in the Governorate of North Al Batinah seized products containing the official emblems of the country. The ministry has confiscated these products and initiated legal actions against violating businesses and individuals. The inspection campaigns on shops will continue.


The ministry has warned all commercial establishments and companies against the illegal use of the royal emblem (crown, khanjar and two swords) and the national emblem of Oman (khanjar and two swords), as well as the use of the Omani khanjar and the Sultanate’s map on various commercial products, as a trademark, commercial advertisement or on locally made or imported jewellery, products or other goods without prior permission from the ministry.


The use of the Sultanate’s emblem or royal emblem without a licence from the ministry is contrary to the Royal Decree No 53/2004 of the Law of National Flag, Emblem and Anthem, which states (It is prohibited to use the emblem as a trademark or for commercial advertisement. Likewise, the emblem shall not be put on locally made or imported jewellery, products or other goods without prior approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry).


The Royal Decree stipulated a number of penalties for violators.


Article 15 stipulated imposing fines against violating shops in the case of using the emblem without a licence and the confiscation of seized materials, without prejudice to any heavier punishment stipulated in any other law.


In the previous period, the ministry has seized products containing the royal emblem (crown, khanjar and two swords) and the national emblem (khanjar and two swords) in various governorates of the Sultanate through the inspection campaigns carried out by the ministry on shops, in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Public Prosecution where the seized products consisted of khanjars, swords, sticks, massars or turbans, shawls, watches and rings.


The ministry also indicated that it would take legal actions against any offence of Omani clothes, such as Omani dishdasha, massar and kummah or making any amendments that offend the Omani identity.


The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has already warned commercial establishments and companies against any form of infringement of the Omani identity and not to sell or import such products in any way.


The Ministerial Decision No 270/2015 prohibits the importation of ready made garments, fabrics, textiles, shoes and all goods containing images, slogans, offensive or obscene words that violate public order and morality, as well as those which affect heavenly laws or contain images, logos or phrases related to any terrorist organisation.


It also prohibits the promotion of such goods by any means whatsoever, as well as the prohibition of the importing military or similar clothes and their accessories, and prohibit import, design or infringement of traditional Omani clothing or make any amendments that offend the Omani identity.


The ministry has confiscated offensive clothing and military clothing during the last period.


The decision also sets strict penalties for anyone who violates and damages Omani traditional costumes.


Anyone who contravenes the provisions of this decision shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding (RO 500) and an administrative fine not exceeding (RO 1,000) in the case of repeated violation for the second time with the suspension of the offending activity for 3 months.


An administrative fine not exceeding RO 3,000 shall be the punishment if the offence is repeated for the third time and the offending activity will be removed from the commercial register.


Hence, the ministry calls upon all commercial establishments wishing to use the official emblems in their products by obtaining authorisation from the ministry, as well as not to make any excesses that offend the Omani cloth. — ONA


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon