UAE Media / Entertainment LawLaw No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai

Article (2) The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise: The United Arab Emirate. UAE: © 2014 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai 1 Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict the Arabic text will prevail.

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 2 of 11 The Emirate of Dubai. Emirate: His Highness the Ruler of Dubai. Ruler: The Government of Dubai. Government: The zone established pursuant to the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2000, and the areas amalgamated into it pursuant to the above-mentioned Decree No. (12) of 2011, Decree No. (4) of 2013, and Decree No. (22) of 2013. Creative Clusters: The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority. DCCA: The chairman of the DCCA. Chairman: The director general of the DCCA. Director General: Products and services that involve creativity or innovation, and which are based on intellectual capital as their primary element. These include, but are not limited to, media, technology, educational, biotechnology, energy, design, and fashion products, and all essentials of such products. Creative Products: Any of the sole establishments and commercial companies licensed to operate in the Creative Clusters pursuant to this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof. Corporation: Any craft, professional, service, or other activity related to Creative Products which is authorised within the Creative Clusters in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof. Activity: Free zones established in the Emirate, other than the Creative Clusters. Other Free Zones: Scope of Application

Article (3) a. The provisions of this Law will apply to the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone established pursuant to the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2000. b. The name “Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone”, wherever mentioned in any legislation in force in the Emirate, will be replaced with “Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai”. c. The name “Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority”, wherever mentioned in any legislation in force in the Emirate, will be replaced with “Dubai Creative Clusters Authority”. d. The Creative Clusters, whose boundaries, area, and locations are demarcated on the map attached to this Law, will be considered a free zone.

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 3 of 11 e. The DCCA will have legal personality, financial and administrative autonomy, and the legal capacity required to undertake the acts and dispositions that ensure the achievement of the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established. Objectives of the Creative Clusters

Article (4) The Creative Clusters will have the following objectives: 1. to promote the Emirate as a regional and international hub for creative production; 2. to contribute to implementing the strategic priorities of the Government which are aimed at enhancing the economic growth of the Emirate.; 3. to create a favourable work environment based on clear-cut and transparent regulatory rules, in order to position the Emirate as a centre for Creative Products; 4. to boost the competitive edge of the Emirate in the field of creative production, and promote the growth of the companies working in this field; and 5. to support, promote, and develop Creative Products in the Emirate by attracting and licensing Corporations and companies specialised in this field. Functions of the DCCA

Article (5) For the purpose of achieving the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established, the DCCA will have the duties and powers to: 1. determine and regulate the works and Activities authorised within the Creative Clusters, and set their licensing rules, conditions, requirements, and procedures; 2. conduct all transactions and acts related to Creative Products, including engaging, in coordination with local and federal government entities, in commercial and industrial business; 3. approve the general plan of Creative Clusters, and license, regulate, and supervise all construction works undertaken in them; 4. register and license Corporations, and collect the relevant charges and fees for registration, licensing, and other services rendered by the DCCA; 5. audit and inspect Corporations and their Activities to verify compliance with the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof; 6. set up, either individually or in partnership with third parties, Corporations and companies, and invest in companies and Corporations that engage in Activities that are relevant to the Activities of the DCCA; 7. constitute boards, committees, and associations and organise events to develop and promote Creative Products; 8. authorise Corporations to import and store goods for purposes of re-exporting or bringing them into the customs zone in the Emirate in coordination with the concerned entities;

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 4 of 11 9. authorise, in coordination with the concerned entities, Corporations to provide various commercial, banking, and insurance services within the Creative Clusters; 10. purchase, take lease of, and own the movable and immovable property required for performing its duties, and invest or dispose of such property by all means of legal disposition; 11. cooperate and coordinate with local, federal, regional, and international entities, including Other Free Zones in the field of creative production; and 12. perform any other duties required for the achievement of the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established. Organisational Structure of the DCCA

Article (7) a. The Chairman will be appointed pursuant to a decree of the Ruler; b. The Chairman will undertake the general supervision of the DCCA, and will issue the resolutions required for its operation and management, and for the implementation of the provisions of this Law. For these purposes, the Chairman will have the duties and power to: 1. approve the general policy, and strategic and development plans of the DCCA; 2. supervise the achievement of the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established, and approve the services, business, projects, and Activities undertaken by them; 3. approve the organisational structure of the DCCA; 4. approve the draft general budget and final accounts of the DCCA; 5. establish any entities affiliated to the DCCA which are required for the achievement of the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established; and 6. approve the rules regulating the work of Corporations, such as the rules of media broadcasting and publication, and select specialised consultancy houses to determine any issues related to the implementation of these rules. c. The Chairman may delegate any of the powers stipulated in this Law to the Director General, provided that the delegation is specific and in writing.

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 5 of 11 d. In the absence of the Chairman, the Director General will undertake the functions of the Chairman. Appointment and Functions of the Director General

Article (8) a. The Director General will be appointed pursuant to a decree of the Ruler. b. The Director General will, under the supervision of the Chairman, manage the DCCA in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof. For this purpose, the Director General will have the duties and powers to: 1. propose the general policy, and strategic and development plans of the DCCA, submit these to the Chairman for approval, and take all procedures required for their implementation upon approval; 2. approve the resolutions regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DCCA; 3. prepare the annual budget and final accounts of the DCCA, and submit these to the Chairman for approval; 4. prepare the organisational structure of the DCCA, and submit it to the Chairman for approval; 5. issue the resolutions required for maintaining records of Corporation licences and other records related to the work of the DCCA; 6. coordinate with federal and local government entities, and Other Free Zones, to achieve the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established; 7. supervise the executive body of the DCCA, and monitor its administrative, technical, and financial performance; 8. represent the DCCA before third parties, and enter into the contracts and agreements required for the achievement of the objectives for which the Creative Clusters are established; 9. open and manage, in the name of the DCCA, accounts with banks within and outside of the Emirate subject to the approval of the Chairman; 10. prepare annual reports on the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by the DCCA in positioning the Emirate as a centre for Creative Products, and submit these to the Chairman for approval; and 11. perform any other duties required for exercising the functions of the DCCA, or assigned to him by the Chairman.

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 6 of 11 c. The Director General may delegate any of his powers stipulated in paragraph (a) of this Article to any employee of the DCCA provided that the delegation is specific and in writing. Executive Body of the DCCA

Article (15) a. Foreign and national goods, from all origins, will be allowed into the Creative Clusters; b. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Article, it is prohibited to bring the following products and goods into Creative Clusters: 1. perished goods; 2. goods violating commercial, industrial, literary, artistic, and intellectual property laws including the laws and rules related to trade marks, patents, copyrights and design rights; 3. boycotted goods or goods imported from a boycotted country; 4. goods featuring inscriptions, drawings, ornamentations, marks, or figures that conflict with doctrines, teachings, or beliefs of heavenly revealed religions; 5. military goods and ammunition, except those authorised by a competent DCCA in the UAE in accordance with the relevant applicable legislation; and 6. all goods, products, and services that are prohibited pursuant to the legislation in force in the Emirate. Exemption from Customs Duties

Article (16) a. Goods which are brought into the Creative Clusters or manufactured, produced, or developed therein will be exempt from customs duties, and when exported outside the UAE, no customs duties will be levied on these goods.

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 8 of 11 b. Goods which are stored in the Creative Clusters, or used in any process of manufacturing, designing, or developing Creative Products or any other related process, will be exempt from customs duties. c. Products exported from the Creative Clusters to the customs zone in the Emirate will be deemed as imported from abroad for the first time, and customs duties will apply to these products in accordance with the customs tariff provisions in force. Tax Exemption

Article (20) a. With respect to their operations in the Creative Clusters, the DCCA and Corporations will not be governed by the laws and regulations of Dubai Municipality or the Department of Economic Development, and will not be subject to the authority and powers that are within the functions of either department (except for the legislation related to health and public safety, food and environment control, and the legislation which expressly provides that it applies to free zones). b. The DCCA may seek the assistance of Government entities in the Emirate and Other Free Zones, and benefit from their programmes and systems, as the DCCA deems appropriate, for purposes of licensing Corporations. Implementation of such programmes and systems

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Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning Creative Clusters in the Emirate of Dubai Page 9 of 11 will be in accordance with the bylaws in force in the Creative Clusters. Licences issued to Corporations in cooperation with concerned Government entities will be deemed as if issued by the DCCA. Establishing Corporations