The UAE government has launched an organization named Emirates Music Rights to collect and distribute royalties for music copyright holders. This initiative is seen as a significant step into a “new era” for the country’s music industry, aiming to ensure that musicians and producers receive their rightful royalties and that their copyright is safeguarded across various media.

Founded by the UAE Ministry of Economy this month, Emirates Music Rights serves as the first licensing body for songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the Gulf region. In 2022, the Middle East and North Africa chapter of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Economy to collaborate on developing the region’s music industry.

Rawan Al Dabbas, the IFPI Mena regional director, emphasized the importance of creating frameworks for licensing and protecting intellectual property, collecting royalties, and combating piracy. She remarked that this initiative “marks a new era for music in the UAE, where creators are empowered, their rights are protected, and their contributions valued.”

Previously, the region’s musicians faced limited legal protection, prompting industry advocates to lobby for government regulations that would support local talent. Emirates Music Rights, operating under existing UAE copyright law, aligns with the country’s Vision 2031 economic development plan, which aims to position the UAE as a global center for creative industries, according to the Ministry of Economy.