Articles
The App Store Rewrites EU Commissions on 1 October: Four Routes and What They Cost
From 1 October the Core Technology Fee goes and a 5% commission arrives. Four payment routes and what each costs a studio.
The App Store Rewrites EU Commissions on 1 October: Four Routes and What They Cost
From 1 October the Core Technology Fee goes and a 5% commission arrives. Four payment routes and what each costs a studio.
Cyprus Non-Dom in 2026: When the Status Ends and What Replaces It
After 17 years of Cyprus tax residence out of the last 20 you count as domiciled. How the clock runs and what article 3Δ offers.
Someone Else's Textures in Your Project: How Borrowing Works
There is no safe percentage of change: reworking someone else's texture gives you rights only in what you added.
Loot Boxes, Wagering and Casino Simulators in the UAE: GCGRA Licence
In UAE law about commercial gaming, "gaming" actually means gambling. The three elements that pull a game mechanic under a GCGRA licence.
Cyprus IP Box: structuring game rights to pay 3% tax
Cyprus brings the effective rate on income from your own development down to about 3%. What qualifies for IP Box, how the nexus fraction works and how to assemble the rights so the relief holds.
Who Is Liable When AI Gets It Wrong: Broken Production, Infringed Rights
Liability for a model's mistake sits with whoever took its output into their work. How to allocate that risk by contract between client, studio and vendor.
Firing Over ChatGPT: What Counts as a Leak When Staff Feed Work Data to AI
Feeding work data into a model can destroy trade secret status, and a court has already ruled on it. What counts as reasonable measures and when a dismissal holds.
AI Has to Introduce Itself in the EU From 2 August: How Article 50 Works
From 2 August the EU requires AI to declare itself. Who discloses what, which systems are covered and what a breach costs.
Real Brands and Cars in Games: Trademark Infringement or Atmosphere
Real car brands and logos in a game: where atmosphere ends and trademark infringement begins.
Who Owns the Rights to Your Game: Employees, Freelancers and Contractors
Rights in code, art and music stay with their authors by default. What contracts with staff, freelancers and contractors need to bring those rights to the studio.
OpenAI Couldn't Trademark Its Own Name in the EU: What the Case Teaches Game Studios
The EU office refused OpenAI protection for its own name, holding it descriptive. What that means for a game title and when to file.
Licensing IP in Games: Brand Collaborations as a Growth Strategy
A brand collaboration rests on a licence. What makes a strong pitch to the rights holder and what to fix in the contract.
Saudi Arabia Joins the Madrid System: What It Means for Trademark Owners
From 8 October 2026, Saudi Arabia can be designated in an international trademark application. What changes for studios and tech companies.
What should a UAE company do after incorporation?
A trigger-based UAE company checklist for tax, UBO, records, banking, employment and renewals after the trade licence is issued.
Which UAE transactions require transfer-pricing analysis and documentation?
Map UAE related-party and connected-person transactions, arm’s-length methods, disclosure, master/local-file thresholds and supporting evidence.
Mainland or Free Zone in the UAE: choose by market access, tax, banking, visas and office
Compare UAE mainland and free-zone companies by market access, tax, office, visas, banking and total cost. Updated with Dubai's 2025 permit regime.
Choose the legal hiring model, not just the EOR label
Compare EOR, recruitment, temporary staffing/outsourcing and your own UAE entity: employer, permits, supervision, licensing and decision tests.
Should a foreign company use a UAE branch or subsidiary?
Compare a UAE branch and subsidiary by legal identity, parent liability, licence, contracts, banking, tax, governance and exit.
UAE corporate tax for Free Zone and Mainland companies: a decision map
A 2026 decision map for UAE free-zone and mainland corporate tax: QFZP conditions, qualifying income, de minimis, 0% and 9% rates.
How do you choose the right UAE business activity and licence?
Choose a UAE business activity, licence, authority and legal form by testing what the company sells, where it operates and which approvals apply.
UAE Blue Residence in 2026: which category and evidence apply?
UAE Blue Residence in 2026: ten-year term, five applicant categories, nomination or self-application, evidence and route comparison.
What should a UAE company do if its bank account is frozen or closed?
A first-response guide for a frozen, restricted or closing UAE corporate bank account: evidence, bank escalation, continuity and complaint scope.
Who owns software code in the UAE: employee, contractor or company?
UAE software ownership for employees, contractors and founders: Article 28, economic and moral rights, open source and chain-of-title evidence.
How does the UAE R&D tax credit work in 2026?
How the UAE R&D tax credit works in 2026: pre-approval, AED 500,000 project minimum, 15%–50% marginal rates, staff tests and evidence.
Which KYC documents does a UAE business bank account need?
Prepare a UAE corporate bank account KYC file covering the entity, ownership, signatories, business model, source of funds and expected transactions.
Which UAE data protection regime applies to your business?
A 2026 decision map for UAE personal-data rules: Federal PDPL, DIFC and ADGM scope, mixed operations, sector overlays and compliance evidence.
UAE visit visa, work permit or secondment: when may the person start work?
Compare UAE visit status, standard, mission, temporary and part-time work permits, and secondment. Learn when work may lawfully start.
Can a UAE business elect Small Business Relief for 2026?
Test UAE Small Business Relief for 2026 using residence, current and prior revenue, exclusions, election, return and arm's-length requirements.
What should you do about trademark infringement in the UAE?
Choose a UAE trademark enforcement route: preserve evidence, use a Ministry complaint, customs intervention, interim civil measures or compensation.
UAE virtual work residence in 2026: who qualifies and what the route permits
UAE virtual work residence in 2026: USD 3,500 salary test, documents, ICP fees, application sequence and comparison with Green and work residence.
What evidence is required for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?
Choose the correct UAE Tax Residency Certificate route and prepare evidence for a natural or juridical person, DTA purpose and EmaraTax application.
Web3: The Next Frontier. Rights and Asset Ownership in Blockchain Games
The play-to-earn boom has receded, but the question of who owns in-game assets is sharper than ever. How Japan, the UAE and Hong Kong turned Web3 gaming rules into law — and what it means for studios structuring a project today.
A Cease-and-Desist Over a Common-Term Trademark: The Figma Dev Mode Case for Game Studios
When a cease-and-desist letter arrives over a common-term trademark, here is the playbook — from the Figma Dev Mode case.
Trademark Registration for a Game: When to File
When to register a trademark for a game — and what it costs to get the timing wrong. Three cases: The Day Before, Ion Maiden, and five years spent reclaiming a studio's own name.
Why UAE banks reject business account applications — and how to rebuild the file
Why UAE corporate bank-account applications fail in 2026, what evidence resolves common KYC gaps, and what to do before reapplying.
UAE Golden Visa: the 50% down-payment rule is gone — what actually changed
The 50% paid-share rule for the UAE Golden Visa property route is gone. What the live DLD conditions now say — and two changes people confuse it with.
UAE residence visas in 2026: compare the routes before choosing one
Compare UAE residence visas in 2026: Golden, Green, Blue, work, virtual work, family, property, retirement and study routes.
Madrid Protocol or direct UAE trademark filing: which route fits?
Compare Madrid Protocol and direct UAE trademark filing: eligibility, basic-mark dependency, UAE examination, official fees and portfolio strategy.
UAE Blue Visa 2026: eligibility, requirements and application
Who qualifies for the UAE Blue Visa, how the AED 1M and AED 2M thresholds work, which documents ICP asks for, and what remains unconfirmed.
UAE Civil Code 2026: what businesses must change
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 took effect on 1 June 2026. Key changes to negotiations, penalties, hardship and limitation periods.
Loot Boxes in 2026: Regulation Map for Game Studios
Where loot boxes count as gambling, where odds disclosure is mandatory, and what to build into monetization before launch — a 2026 map of the key markets.
Andrey Ivashentsev — Strategic Advisor to Futura Digital
Meet Futura Digital's new Strategic Advisor, Andrey Ivashentsev: co-founder of GDCy, president of CYGMA, 15+ years in gamedev and 8 years on Cyprus.
Futura Cyprus — a single product for the Cyprus setup for tech and gamedev
Cyprus setup for tech and gamedev used to mean six parallel tracks: incorporation, IP Box, substance, banking, accounting, trade marks. We've consolidated it into a single product.
Cyprus for GameDev and IT Founders in 2026: Tax, IP Box, and Company Setup
What relocating founders actually need to know — tax rates, residency, banking, BCS status, and IP protection in one place.
When Your Hit Game Gets a Twin
Game cloning is one of the most common IP challenges in the industry. The moment a title gains traction, copycat developers often appear within days — and the legal tools available to fight back are more varied and more powerful than most developers expect.
Futura Digital in the Legal 500 2026: Tier 4 in IP and Firms to Watch in TMT
Futura Digital is ranked in the Legal 500 2026 for the UAE: Tier 4 in IP and Firms to Watch in TMT.
Why GameDev Is Thriving in the UAE: A Growing Hub for Innovation
The UAE's free zones and dedicated gaming initiatives -- AD Gaming, DTEC, DMCC Technology Ecosystems -- are turning the country into a magnet for game development studios looking to relocate or expand into the GCC.
Xsolla & Futura Xmas Night: A Gamedev Community Evening in Dubai
Xsolla & Futura Xmas Night brought Dubai's gamedev community together for a warm evening of talks and connection.
Futura among the leaders of the Pravo-300 ranking
The results of the Pravo-300 ranking have been published, and for Futura this serves as an important confirmation of the strength and consistency of our key practices. We secured strong positions across the areas that matter most to us — including Group I in Digital Economy.
China's Gaming Market: Censorship, Negotiations, and Cultural Nuances for Developers
The Chinese game market is the biggest in the world in terms of both revenue size and the number of players. This country is a unique ecosystem with its own platforms, publishers, and strict government regulation.
Digital Fairness Act 2025: How the EU Plans to Reinvent Transparency in Games and In-App Payments
The EU's Digital Fairness Act aims to turn soft guidance on dark patterns, loot boxes and in-app payments into binding rules. What the initiative covers — and where it actually stands as of July 2026.
Epic Games v. Google: How a Landmark Ruling Reshapes App Payments in 2025
Epic Games v. Google reshaped app payments: the injunction, Google's Play policy changes — and the 2026 settlement that cut standard fees to 20%. Updated with what changed by July 2026.
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YouTube Policy Update 2025: New Rules for Gambling and Violent Gaming Content
Starting 17 November 2025, YouTube will begin enforcing a significantly tightened set of rules for videos and livestreams featuring gambling mechanics and violent gameplay. The update focuses on user safety — especially for minors — and formalises moderation practices that creators have increasingly encountered over the past year.
Futura joins the jury of the “Digital Lawyer of the Year” Award
The “Digital Lawyer of the Year” Award recently took place, celebrating the most impactful projects in digital law and the data economy.
IT Park Uzbekistan and Futura Launch Strategic Partnership to Drive Digital Growth
At the Global Business Services Forum 2025 — hosted by IT Park Uzbekistan with the support of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan — IT Park Uzbekistan and Futura signed a Memorandum of Unde
Futura at the Eurasian Data Protection Congress
On October 20, Futura took part in the Eurasian Data Protection Congress
Futura in the October issue of Legal Insight
Two expert articles by Futura were featured in the October issue of Legal Insight, a leading publication on law and business.
New guide for doing business in the UAE: Futura’s contribution
BRICS+ New Economy & Legal Infrastructure Center released the Doing Business BRICS+ Guide — a practical handbook for companies entering the UAE market.
Use of Cryptocurrency in the UAE
The UAE is one of the most promising jurisdictions for running a crypto business. The Emirates actively attract companies operating in the cryptocurrency sector.
Salaries and Labor Guarantees in the UAE
What do you need to know about labour guarantees in the UAE: minimum wages, payrolls, overtime premiums, housing allowance and accommodation.
Why Texas is an excellent choice for your business
Let's dive in to understand what makes Texas the right place for doing your business in the USA.
Why Nevada is a new magnet for doing business in the USA
Let's dive in to understand what makes Nevada the right place for doing your business in the USA.
Registering a Free Zone company in the UAE
What a Free Zone is and how to register: regulation, office options, operating scope, capital, zone types, step-by-step process.
When must a UAE business register or deregister for VAT?
Test UAE VAT registration, voluntary entry, amendments and deregistration using current thresholds, evidence, deadlines and final-return requirements.
Obtaining an Emirates ID
How to obtain an Emirates ID: what documents are needed, what is the procedure to follow and when the residency can be cancelled.
How to register a property purchase in the UAE
Each year, real estate in Dubai becomes more and more in demand. We have prepared a FAQ-style article answering the most common questions from clients about purchasing real estate.
Employment visa: how to hire an employee
Step-by-step guide to employing staff in the UAE: entry permit, residence visa, work permit, medicals, and Emirates ID.
Bahrain: What you need to know about the country
Bahrain stands out for its liberal business environment and status as a financial hub for the MENA region.
Types of companies in Saudi Arabia
Corporate law in Saudi Arabia allows for the creation of legal entities in various organizational-legal forms and under special regimes.
Types of companies in the UAE
Overview of Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore companies in the UAE: key rules, ownership, offices, and typical use cases.
Main taxes and fees in Oman
Oman, known for its political stability and strategic location, offers one of the most attractive tax systems in the Middle East.
Main taxes and fees in Bahrain
In the context of growing competition for investment and talent, tax policy is becoming a key factor in choosing a jurisdiction for starting a business or redomiciliation.
Omanization of corporate structures
Omanization is a government policy aimed at increasing the share of Omani citizens in the private sector.
Main taxes and fees in Hong Kong
The tax system is one of Hong Kong’s main advantages. It makes Hong Kong highly attractive for international corporate groups.
Hong Kong: What You Need to Know
Hong Kong combines a stable legal system based on English common law with a progressive economic policy aimed at attracting international business.
Qatar: What you need to know about the country
Qatar combines a conservative legal system with progressive economic reforms.
Main taxes and fees in Qatar
Qatar's tax system is one of the most favorable in the world, making the country an attractive destination for living and doing business.
Uzbekistan and New Opportunities for the Digital Industry
Futura took part in the Global Business Forum in Tashkent — a key platform for companies exploring Uzbekistan’s potential in IT and the digital economy.
Futura at the launch of the Cyprus chapter of Women in Games
Alexandra Kurdyumova, co-founder of Futura, joined the very first meetup of Women in Games Cyprus.
Futura Digital at GDCy Fest 2025 in Limassol
Alexandra Kurdyumova, co-founder of Futura Digital, spoke at GDCy Fest 2025 in Limassol about choosing jurisdictions for launching and scaling game studios.
Whistleblower Policy: What It Is and How to Build One Without the Bureaucracy
A practical guide to building a compliant whistleblower policy: what regulators require, and how Futura Digital helped an ADGM-based client set up a working process without extra bureaucracy.
Hong Kong – A New Haven for Businesses from the CIS?
As the global landscape continues to shift, Hong Kong is gaining increasing importance for businesses seeking effective redomiciliation and tax optimization.
Redomiciliation of companies to Hong Kong: now available to everyone
On May 23, 2025, Hong Kong officially allowed the redomiciliation of foreign companies. Previously, only investment funds had this opportunity, but now any company can move to Hong Kong.
Futura recognized in global ranking for representing CIS business abroad
As part of the recent St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Pravo.ru published the results of its annual research “Map of CIS Business Representation Abroad.”
Futura Digital at the “Growth Point” Forum in Tashkent
Roman Motorin, Senior Associate at Futura Digital, took part in the “Growth Point” Forum — a key event for the digital community in Central Asia, held in Tashkent.
Futura Among the Honored at the MENA Game Industry Awards!
We’re proud and excited to announce that Futura has been named one of the Honored at the prestigious MENA Game Industry Awards 2025!
Scraping: Reddit vs Anthropic
Reddit sued Anthropic for scraping its platform to train Claude without permission or payment — a first-of-its-kind test of content-licensing law.
What’s the Current State of GameDev Investment?
At the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025, Alexandra Kurdyumova, co-founder of Futura, took part in the panel discussion “Is This The Worst (Or Best) Time To Be Seeking Investment For Your Studio?” — and it turned out to be a tr
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 — 100% complete!
We were back in Dubai with our beloved Futura Advice Pitstop — and as always, it was vibrant, dynamic, and full of purpose.
Debate on legalizing sports betting with cryptocurrency in Texas
Texas lawmakers are considering an initiative aimed at legalizing sports betting using cryptocurrency.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment issues over 14,000 licenses in 2024, up 67% YOY
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment (MISA) issued 14,303 investment licenses in 2024, up 67% YOY.
Fintech meetup 2025 in Las Vegas: 60,000+ business meetings, 2,000+ companies, and practical fintech trends
From March 10–13, 2025, Las Vegas hosted one of the world’s key fintech conferences — Fintech Meetup.
Nevada Supreme Court recognizes electronic correspondence as legally binding
The Supreme Court of the State of Nevada has ruled that electronic correspondence between a taxpayer and the Department of Taxation can be considered a written agreement with legal force.
Suhoor and Padel Night with Futura, EY MENA, NVIDIA, and Shorooq Partners
The best ideas often start with a simple “What if...?”—and sometimes, they grow into something much bigger.
Oman’s omanization rate increases in 2024
In 2024, Oman made significant progress in implementing its Omanization program, which aims to increase the share of national talent in various sectors of the economy.
Bill AB 276 proposes linking Nevada’s commerce tax threshold to inflation
A bill introduced in the Nevada State Legislature — AB 276 — proposes raising the commerce tax threshold from the current $4 million and indexing it to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Block on Texas corporate ownership transparency law
A federal judge in Texas has suspended the enforcement of the corporate ownership transparency law, which required companies to disclose information about their beneficial owners.
Senator Ted Cruz secures repeal of federal cryptocurrency regulation
The President of the United States has signed a resolution introduced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, repealing an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule that required market participants to disclose information about cryptocurrency transactions.
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