Photo Credit: EMRA
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have established the first collective management society—the Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA).
Recent legislative and regulatory action on the UAE grants a collective management license to EMRA, authorizing it to oversee the collection and distribution of music creators’ rights across the country. The move aims to strengthen the creative economy by ensuring compliance with copyright laws across broadcasting and content platforms.
The license was granted in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Related Rights. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has applauded the move. Both the IFPI and the International Confederation of Societies and Composers (CISAC) were on hand to congratulate EMRA.
“The establishment of an effective, transparent and accountable rights management organization for public performance and broadcast rights is a further step that will cement UAE as one of the most dynamic and exciting music markets in the world,” adds Victoria Oakley, CEO, IFPI. “Not least because according to the IFPI Global Music Report just published, in 2024, [the UAE] was the fastest growing recorded music market in the world. IFPI is proud to support this work and I congratulate you all on a successful launch.”
According to the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2024, the MENA region was the fastest-growing recorded music market worldwide—expanding by 22.8% in 2024 alone. Meanwhile, the global music industry grew by 4.8% in the same period.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy for the UAE says the country 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 his license to EMRA is a significant step in advancing the UAE’s creative economy in line with the We the UAE 2031 vision,” he adds.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.