General

Licensee

Natural or legal person granted a provisional licence.

How the laws define this

At their core, both regulatory frameworks agree that a licensee is an individual, natural person, legal person, or entity that has been granted legal authorization, whether expressed as a licence or a permit. The instruments diverge primarily regarding sector specificity and the detailed obligations attached to the status. Under Law No. 42/2015, the concept is tailored to a specific sector, defining a licensee as an individual or entity granted a legal permit by the Communications Authority of Maldives to provide specific communication or postal services. By contrast, Federal Decree‑Law No. (25) of 2018 on the Projects of Future Nature establishes a conditional framework around a provisional licence, defining a natural or legal person who is expressly subject to the licence's scope, duration, conditions, reporting and audit obligations, as well as liability and remediation requirements.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
United Arab Emirates	Federal Decree‑Law No. (25) of 2018 on the Projects of Future Nature	In Force	Adds subjection to the licence's scope, duration, conditions, reporting and audit obligations, and liability/remediation requirements under the regime.
Maldives	Communications Authority of Maldives Act (Law No. 42/2015)	In Force	Limits to an individual or entity granted a legal permit by the Communications Authority of Maldives to provide specific communication or postal services.

What it triggers

In the United Arab Emirates under Federal Decree‑Law No. (25) of 2018 on the Projects of Future Nature, it is subject to the licence's scope, duration, conditions, reporting and audit obligations, and liability/remediation requirements under the regime.source
Under the Communications Authority of Maldives Act (Law No. 42/2015) in the Maldives, it has been granted a legal permit by the Communications Authority of Maldives to provide specific communication or postal services.source

Definitions (2)

The natural or legal person granted a provisional licence who is subject to the licence's scope, duration, conditions, reporting and audit obligations, and liability/remediation requirements under the regime.

Federal Decree‑Law No. (25) of 2018 on the Projects of Future NatureDefinition 1 of 2

An individual or entity that has been granted a legal permit by the Communications Authority of Maldives to provide specific communication or postal services.

ކޮމިއުނިކޭޝަންސް އޮތޯރިޓީ އޮފް މޯލްޑިވްސްގެ ޤާނޫނު (Law No. 42/2015)Definition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Service Provider

Service provider refers broadly to entities providing digital, networked or platform services, while licensee here is specifically an individual or entity granted a permit by the Communications Authority of Maldives for communication or postal services.

AI developer/provider

AI developer/provider is an entity that develops, deploys, or offers AI products or services, whereas licensee is a natural or legal person granted a provisional licence or permit under specific regimes.

Questions and answers

What obligations does a licensee have under UAE Federal Decree‑Law No. (25) of 2018?

A licensee is subject to the licence's scope, duration, conditions, reporting and audit obligations, and liability/remediation requirements under the regime.

Who grants a licence under the Maldives Communications Authority of Maldives Act?

The Communications Authority of Maldives grants the legal permit to the licensee to provide specific communication or postal services.

How does licensee differ between UAE future projects law and Maldives communications law?

In UAE, it adds obligations like reporting and remediation for provisional licences on AI projects; in Maldives, it limits to permits for communication or postal services by the authority.