You can be fined for utilizing Oman’s national symbols illegally

Muscat: Businesses that illegally use Oman's national emblems on their products could be fined up to OMR3,000 according to a warning issued by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce on Monday.

In a statement online, the ministry 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. 

It is also illegal to use those symbols as a trademark, in commercial advertisements or on locally made or imported jewelry, products or other goods "without prior permission from the ministry, thereby violating the provision of Article 12 on the Law of National Flag, Emblem, and Anthem," the ministry added. 

The ministry also requested establishments not to make any "amendments that offend the Omani identity, according to the Ministerial Decision No. 270/2015."

According to Article 4 of the Ministerial Decision No. 270/2015, the fine for violating the provision in are:

- An administrative fine not exceeding OMR 500. 

- An administrative fine not exceeding OMR 1,000 in the event of a recurrence of the violation for the second time with the suspension of the violated activity and the closure of the shop for three months.

- An administrative fine not exceeding OMR 3,000 in the event of a recurrence of the violation for the third time with the cancellation of the violated activity from the Commercial Registry.

The ministry has asked the public to be vigilant of such activity and to report it through the ministry's website or social media channels.