United Arab Emirates Establishes Initial Music Rights Authority, Promoting Equitable Compensation for Musicians
In a significant move towards fostering a thriving music industry and creative economy, the United Arab Emirates has launched Emirates Music Rights (EMR), a new organization designed to manage and collect music royalties. This collective rights management organization, licensed by the Ministry of Economy, aligns with the UAE's 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, paving the way for the creation of EMR. The organization will centralize royalty collection from businesses that use music commercially, such as hotels, malls, broadcasters, and radio stations. Previously, artists had to pursue these payments individually.
Under a fixed tariff system approved by the Ministry, royalties will be fairly distributed among composers, publishers, labels, and musicians. This system aims to ensure that creators are compensated for their works, promoting the growth and sustainability of the local music industry.
International experts have welcomed EMR's launch, with Lawrence Oxenberry of UK-based PP stating that EMR will help reinvest music revenue locally and close existing enforcement gaps. Caroline Champarnaud of SACEM believes EMR provides long-needed legal protection for music users and a proper support system for regional creators. Lauri Rechardt of IFPI states that EMR brings the UAE in line with global standards, ensuring artists are paid when their work is used.
Emirates Music Rights (EMR) plays a crucial role in the UAE's creative economy and music industry by safeguarding music rights, licensing music usage, and investing in the country's creative talent. By fostering a structured music rights ecosystem that aligns with global copyright standards, EMR stimulates the creative economy, enhances the viability of the music sector, and contributes to cultural enrichment. Moreover, it helps position the UAE as a hub for creative content in the region by protecting creators' interests and facilitating lawful music usage across various platforms and businesses.
The UAE, with EMR in place, positions itself as a serious player in the global music ecosystem. As the country continues to develop its digital and creative industries, EMR is instrumental in promoting copyright compliance, licensing efficiency, and the financial welfare of music professionals in the UAE. For more detailed official descriptions or recent developments about EMR, consulting UAE government cultural or intellectual property agencies or EMR's official communications would provide further insight beyond the available search results.
- The new organization, Emirates Music Rights (EMR), will not only collect music royalties from businesses in the entertainment sector, such as hotels and radio stations, but also from businesses in other sectors that use music commercially, such as technology or finance.
- The launch of Emirates Music Rights (EMR) is significant for the UAE's economy, as it aims to contribute to the growth of the creative sector's contribution to GDP to 5% by 2031, as stated in the UAE's strategy.
- The fair distribution of royalties among composers, publishers, labels, and musicians, as implemented by Emirates Music Rights (EMR), not only supports the sustainability of the local music industry, but also aligns with global copyright standards, thus strengthening the UAE's position as a hub for creative content.
