It usually starts small. A nice image for a blog banner. A composition of music in the background of a reel. Something that is quite usual and harmless. But in Dubai, and across the UAE, inappropriate use of photos or music without authorization can become an actual legal problem as soon as not most individuals expect it to be.

In Alqada Claims Recovery Services we frequently talk to entrepreneurs, artists, even marketing teams who did not realize that they were over a legal boundary. It is not intent to be bad-but the law does not actually act upon intent. The intention isn’t bad-but the law doesn’t really work on intention. It works on usage.

And this is regardless of whether you are a large brand, startup or even running a side business online.

“It’s Online, So It Must Be Free” - The Biggest Myth

Among the most widespread misconceptions, there is the belief that the content that can be found on the Internet can be used freely. Google pictures, Pinterest, Instagram-none of the sites grant you ownership and use rights.

The UAE is one of the countries that automatically protect copyright once a photo, song, or video is created. The law does not require that you see a watermark or a copyright notice. Usage is a legal liability in case the creator has not granted permission.

This is usually when people begin contacting lawyers in UAE, typically after having unexpectedly received a notice.

What UAE Copyright Law Actually Says

The legal basis, in this case, is Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights. The law established strict regulations which replaced existing legal frameworks to control digital content distribution through social media platforms and commercial entities.

With this law, copyright infringement through photos or music use can incur civil liability and criminal in some instances. The compensation claims are based on the use of the content, location, and business value creation.

The legal advisor at Dubai will assess the case through its context before making recommendations about forthcoming steps.

Social Media Usage Is Still Commercial Use

Many individuals believe that social media is in a grey area of the law. It doesn’t. Any use of copyrighted material on business pages or brand accounts or monetized personal accounts qualifies as commercial use.

This includes:

• Reels with trending music tied to your brand
• Photos reposted to promote services
• Background music in promotional videos

Platforms may mute audio or remove posts, but that doesn’t cancel the creator’s legal right to pursue a claim. This is the reason why numerous companies choose to conduct silent consultations with legal service providers in Dubai before they start to run their campaigns.

Fair Use: Rarely as Broad as People Think

The UAE legal system recognizes fair use yet restricts it to narrow applications. It is generally restricted to education, research, criticism or personal use-even then, with conditions. Fair use defense becomes less effective when commercial activities such as branding and promotion and sales activities start to take place.

It is almost always commercial activity to use an image in a blog that generates traffic, or music in a video that promotes services. Legal consultants in Dubai are usually invited to these scenarios to determine exposure, before an argument can develop.

Music Licensing: A Common Blind Spot for Businesses

Music is one of the most overlooked risk areas, especially for physical spaces like cafés, gyms, salons, and events. Many businesses assume their personal streaming subscription covers background music. Legally, it doesn’t. Personal accounts are meant for private listening, not public or commercial use.

Here’s where problems often arise:

• Playing licensed music in customer-facing areas
• Using popular songs during events or brand activations
• Adding background tracks to promotional videos

What will mostly strike people off is the fact that claims are not always immediate. This is why a legal firm in Dubai typically advises setting up proper music licensing early- it’s far simpler and far less costly than dealing with copyright claims after the damage is already done.

Photos, Freelancers, and Ownership Confusion

Another frequent issue involves freelancers. Paying for a photo or design doesn’t automatically mean you own the copyright. Unless your contract clearly transfers ownership, the creator may still hold rights.

This becomes risky when:

• Old content is reused for new campaigns
• Photos are shared across platforms
• Designers reuse licensed stock images

In these cases, Dubai advocates and legal consultant professionals often review agreements and clarify rights before disputes surface.

What Happens When a Copyright Claim Is Filed

Once a claim is raised, things move quickly. Rights holders can approach authorities or initiate civil action directly. Businesses are often asked to provide proof of permission, licenses, or contracts.

Possible outcomes may include:

• Financial compensation demands
• Removal of content across platforms
• Legal proceedings if the matter escalates

Many companies only involve Dubai advocates at this stage, but by then, options are usually more limited.

Why These Cases Are Increasing

Digital enforcement has achieved major advancements during recent years. The process of gathering evidence has become simpler, platforms cooperate more readily and creators possess greater knowledge about their rights.

We’re seeing more cases where:

• Old social posts trigger new claims
• Archived content resurfaces during audits
• Small businesses face large compensation demands

This is why proactive compliance has become a key part of modern UAE legal services, especially for online-focused businesses.

How Alqada Looks at These Situations

The Alqada Claims Recovery Services team handles these matters without using fear-based tactics. It is focused on the practical- knowing what has been happening, what is the risk and how to solve it with the least amount of disruption.

This frequently involves checking on usage, negotiating rights with the holders or giving advice on corrective measures to take before it goes out of hand. Sometimes it’s about defense. In other instances, it’s resolution and prevention.

A Simple Final Thought

People who use photos or music without obtaining rights to those materials will face legal penalties which do not consider their level of intent to infringe. A short assessment of a situation combined with initial guidance from professional law firm in Dubai will help people avoid experiencing protracted anxiety and unplanned expenses throughout several months.

If you are in doubt or are unsure about what you are using and still thinking of using it or not, then speaking to the right kind of people very early on can too make a difference.

Alqada Claims Recovery Services strive to bring legal awareness to you-calmly as usual and preferably before it really walks out of control.