The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has unveiled a new initiative aimed at regulating the local music market through the launch of the “Collective Management Guide for Music”. This guide is designed to enhance public awareness regarding the protection of the rights of composers, creators, and production companies, including songwriters, musicians, recording producers, and music publishers. The goal is to establish a comprehensive framework for managing these rights, ensuring protection for musical works, and fostering a creative environment for talented individuals while supporting the growth of the music and creative industries in the UAE.
Categories of Entities Subject to Music Usage Fees
As outlined in Ministerial Decision No. (136) of 2026, the guide specifies the licensing fees for collective music management applicable to various entities, including restaurants, cafes, shopping centres, gyms, floating hotels, airlines, radio stations, television channels, and live music events. This is due to the connection between music usage in these establishments and copyright and neighbouring rights.
Authorities Responsible for Fee Collection
The Ministry has announced that the new fees will come into effect from December 2026. The entities responsible for collecting these fees and managing these rights transparently and equitably are the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation, which have both received official approval from the Ministry to engage in collective music management, including the organisation of rights collection and distribution for music creators within the country.
Enhancing Competitiveness of Music and Creative Industries
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasised that the UAE is dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of the music and creative industries as a vital sector supporting national economic growth. He stated, “In line with the country’s vision regarding the significance of these industries in enhancing economic diversification, we continue our efforts to foster an environment conducive to talented individuals and innovators, protect their rights, and elevate the legislative and regulatory framework of the creative economy to advanced levels, aligning with the parameters of the UAE Vision 2031.”
He further added, “The launch of the ‘Collective Management Guide for Music’ is a crucial step towards developing a comprehensive governance system for copyright and neighbouring rights in the UAE, enhancing the efficiency of these rights management according to global best practices, and establishing principles of transparency and fairness in their distribution. This will elevate the music sector’s organisation and contribute to its growth and prosperity, aligning with relevant legislation and international agreements while strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global centre for the creative economy and intellectual property protection.”
Facilitating Financial and Artistic Rights Management
The “Collective Management Guide for Music” aims to facilitate the management of financial and artistic rights, reducing opportunities for violations or infringements on creators’ rights. By standardising the metrics related to fees and licensing processes, it ensures the legal and fair use of musical works, enabling licensed entities to monitor and assess performance according to the highest standards of legal compliance, professional efficiency, and rights protection.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism will issue collective management activity licenses for music to concerned entities for one year, renewable under the relevant rules and conditions. The guide also details the fee collection tiers for granting the collective management license based on the nature of usage and the scale of economic activity.
Exemptions from Fee Payments
The Ministry has noted that several categories are exempted from these fees, including educational and academic institutions, government entities, usage during national events, personal celebrations of a non-commercial nature, and any other categories deemed exempt by the Ministry through a relevant decision.
Establishment of a Cultural and Musical Industries Support Fund
The guide also proposes the establishment of a “Cultural Support Fund for Music,” aimed at providing financial, technical, and artistic assistance in music composition, production, distribution, and live performances. This initiative seeks to empower creators and talents, support the growth of cultural and musical industries, and enhance the visibility of Emirati music both regionally and internationally through support for export activities, cultural exchange, and participation in global festivals and events. Additionally, it aims to develop knowledge infrastructure and skills within the musical system of the UAE through training programmes, workshops, and artistic grants.
The fund will also focus on promoting diversity and cultural inclusivity by supporting emerging talents, enabling musicians from various demographics, including children, youth, and individuals of determination, and encouraging creative integration between music and other art forms. Furthermore, it will ensure the sustainability of the cultural music ecosystem through multi-party partnerships while ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution and utilisation of resources.
Joint Committee for Fund Management
The Ministry has clarified that it will oversee the fund, managed by a joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture. A dedicated 10% of the total amount collected will be allocated to fund the support initiatives and various programmes. Authorities responsible for fee collection, namely the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation, will establish a separate bank account for the fund, ensuring its resources and procedures are managed with adherence to transparency regulations.
Strengthening Oversight of Licensed Entities
The Ministry will oversee the activities of entities licensed to engage in collective management activities, ensuring their compliance with the provisions of the Copyright Law and its Executive Regulation. This oversight includes conducting field inspections and reviewing relevant records, documents, and technical and financial systems. Furthermore, the Ministry will handle complaints lodged by rights holders, users, or relevant entities concerning any breaches of legal or regulatory obligations related to collective management, striving for amicable resolutions or necessary regulatory measures.
Additionally, the Ministry reserves the right to amend any conditions, regulations, or obligations related to the licensing of collective music management activities whenever necessary for regulatory purposes or public interest during the validity period of the license, requiring the licensed entity to implement those amendments promptly upon adoption.