By Staff Reporter
UAE Launches First Music Rights Body to Ensure Fair Royalties for Artists
In a major step towards strengthening the creative economy, the UAE has launched its first-ever Collective Management Organisation (CMO) — Emirates Music Rights (EMR) — dedicated to managing and collecting music royalties on behalf of artists, composers, producers, and performers.
Licensed by the Ministry of Economy, EMR will centralise royalty collection from businesses that use music commercially, including hotels, malls, broadcasters, and radio stations. Previously, artists had to pursue these payments individually.
Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector, hailed the move as a “pivotal moment” for the UAE’s music industry.
“This ensures creators are fairly compensated, and their rights are protected under a modernised framework guided by global best practices,”
he said.
The launch aligns with the Ministry’s broader strategy to grow the creative sector’s contribution to GDP to 5% by 2031. Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri has led efforts to reform intellectual property laws, enabling this initiative.
International experts welcomed EMR’s launch. Lauri Rechardt of IFPI noted it brings the UAE in line with global standards, ensuring artists are paid when their work is used. Caroline Champarnaud of SACEM said it provides long-needed legal protection for music users and a proper support system for regional creators.
Lawrence Oxenberry of UK-based PPL added that EMR will help reinvest music revenue locally and close existing enforcement gaps. Under a fixed tariff system approved by the Ministry, royalties will be fairly distributed among composers, publishers, labels, and musicians.
With EMR now in place, the UAE positions itself as a serious player in the global music ecosystem — one that values, protects, and invests in its creative talent.
News Source: Khaleej Times
