- Bin Touq: The UAE has succeeded in establishing an advanced legislative and regulatory environment to protect intellectual property rights.
- Granting this license marks a key milestone in positioning the UAE as a hub for creative industries.
- Minister of Culture: The collective management license for music rights is a cornerstone for fostering innovation and safeguarding the rights of creators.
- The license allows the Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA) to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of music creators, ensuring media platforms and broadcasters fulfill their obligations.
The UAE Ministry of Economy has announced the issuance of a collective management license to the Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA), authorizing it to oversee the collection and distribution of music creators’ rights across the country.
This move aims to strengthen the creative economy by ensuring compliance with copyright laws across broadcasting and content platforms, promoting a sustainable and globally aligned creative ecosystem.
The license was granted in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Related Rights.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).
The event was attended by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property Sector, alongside composers, producers, and representatives from local and international music rights organizations.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, stated that the UAE has successfully developed a legislative framework aligned with global best practices to support intellectual property rights and drive the creative and cultural sectors as key pillars of the national economy.
“Granting this license to EMRA is a significant step in advancing the UAE’s creative economy in line with the We the UAE 2031 vision.
Our goal is to position the UAE as a regional and global hub for culture, talent, and creative content,” he said.
He emphasized that this initiative not only protects rights and promotes fairness but also creates new opportunities for artists, composers, and producers.
It forms part of the broader National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries, which aims to foster a rights-based, transparent environment that supports investment in the music sector and provides a robust framework for royalty management.
Minister Bin Touq added that EMRA’s licensing will help establish a competitive and efficient collective rights management system that attracts investment and strengthens public-private sector collaboration.
The Ministry will continue to provide legislative and technical support to ensure the association operates in line with global standards.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, also stressed the significance of this milestone, stating:
“Granting the first license for collective music rights management solidifies the UAE’s leadership in intellectual property protection and highlights the music industry as a vital component of the creative economy.”
He noted that collective management plays a critical role in encouraging innovation and maintaining a fair balance between artists’ rights and market demands.
“This marks a pivotal moment in our cultural journey and reflects our commitment to fostering a future where creativity thrives.
Through initiatives like the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, we are supporting Emirati artists and boosting creative production,” he added.
The Ministry confirmed its collaboration with EMRA to develop a state-of-the-art digital platform for rights registration and efficient revenue management.
The partnership will also include awareness campaigns and training workshops to empower artists with legal knowledge and rights management tools.
International partners also voiced their support:
Gadi Oron, Director General of CISAC, remarked:
“It is an honor to witness the licensing of EMRA. This is a milestone not only for the UAE but also as a model for the region.
CISAC is proud to have supported this international collaboration and will continue assisting EMRA in becoming a successful organization that represents creators nationally and globally.”
Victoria Oakley, CEO of IFPI, said:
“EMRA’s governance system is in line with global standards for managing performance and broadcasting rights. Licensing EMRA further reinforces the UAE’s position as one of the most vibrant music markets globally.
According to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2024, the MENA region was the fastest-growing recorded music market worldwide, expanding by 22.8%.”
The UAE continues to invest in nurturing its creative industries, enacting policies and regulations to increase the creative economy’s contribution to GDP.
In 2022, the cultural and creative industries contributed AED 54.4 billion, equivalent to 3.5% of the UAE’s GDP.
In 2024, the global music industry grew by 4.8%, reaching revenues of USD 29.6 billion, further emphasizing the importance of the UAE’s strategic investment in this high-potential sector.
