The UAE Ministry of Economy has granted approval for Music Nation Copyrights Management (Music Nation) to establish a comprehensive platform for licensing, collecting, and distributing royalties related to public performance and neighboring rights. This move is expected to provide a crucial new revenue stream for music rights holders in the region.

Music Nation is a leader in music rights management in the United Arab Emirates. The organization is set to utilize advanced tools and technology, along with partnerships with industry giants such as Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and SoundExchange Inc., to become the first organization in the industry capable of collecting performance, mechanical, and neighboring rights natively.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the UAE to foster a robust music ecosystem, aiming to protect the rights of music creators and ensure they are compensated for the commercial use of their work. The new royalty revenue system will assist recording artists, songwriters, composers, and others in building sustainable careers, while also ensuring that local and international music copyright owners receive appropriate compensation for their contributions.

Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of Music Nation, expressed her excitement about this development, stating, “Today marks a pivotal moment for the UAE and Music Nation.” She emphasized the importance of establishing a world-class music rights infrastructure that highlights local artists and celebrates the UAE’s rich musical heritage.

His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to developing a robust system for copyright governance based on global best practices. He noted that the collective management license for music will promote a creative culture, protect intellectual property rights, and ensure transparency in revenue distribution for artists and creators.

Mike O’Neill, President and Chief Executive Officer of BMI, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the importance of providing music creators in the UAE with the opportunity to earn a living from their work.

Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, described the approval as a significant milestone and a testament to the capabilities of Music Nation, SoundExchange, and BMI in establishing a premier collective management organization.

Music Nation plans to start collecting royalties in the UAE for over 2 million stakeholders, including songwriters, composers, publishers, artists, and sound recording owners. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is recognized as the fastest-growing music market globally, with music revenue in the region increasing by 22.8% last year, significantly outpacing the global average growth of 5.9%.

Music Nation aims to fulfill the UAE’s vision for the protection and enforcement of musical copyrights, ensuring fair compensation for music creators and rights holders.