Key milestones
The UAE government is building a new system to manage music rights in the face of prior concerns from various stakeholders at the lack of options for collective rights management in the country.
Our May 2025 briefing reported on EMRA’s launch as the UAE’s first CMO. EMRA is a non-profit organization with authority to issue licenses for the public use of music works including streaming platforms, broadcasts and live events.
In June 2025, the MOE confirmed the approval of Music Nation as a second CMO to represent music rights in the country.
At this stage, neither CMO has published details of its pricing, member list, or launch date.
Legal framework at a glance
The UAE’s Copyright Law (UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 and its Implementing Regulations No. 47 of 2022) is built on voluntary delegation:
- The Law allows rights holders to authorize CMOs to manage their rights. Licenses issued are civil contracts;
- The Law prohibits discriminatory licensing practices. CMOs must offer blanket licenses on identical terms. Fee reductions are allowed only for live events or nonprofit educational/cultural uses, and must be objectively justified; and
- The Law requires CMOs to obtain a Ministry permit but does not prevent direct licensing by rights holders.
Neither EMRA nor Music Nation holds a statutory monopoly; each is exclusive only to the repertoire voluntarily assigned by its members.
Both CMOs will be subject to a range of requirements, including non-discrimination obligations, usage data audit requirements, and a maximum 25% administrative deduction.
What happens next?
Once the CMOs become operational, platforms and venues can engage with either or both of EMRA and Music Nation to obtain access to their music catalogues for any public broadcasts in the UAE. Organizations should begin reviewing existing music usage and licensing arrangements to prepare for the new regime.
Composers, publishers, and record labels can choose to mandate either CMO to collect royalties on their behalf or continue to license third parties directly. The latter route may be preferred for high-value or region-specific works.
While dual mandates may enhance royalty collection and global reach, this approach also risks duplicating administrative fees and reducing net royalties available to rights holders unless carefully structured. Rights holders should review mandate agreements for clarity on fee caps, reporting obligations, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
Need assistance?
Our IP, Technology and Commercial team advises on all aspects of copyright licensing and enforcement in the UAE.
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Mona Matouri, Senior Paralegal, has contributed to this legal update.
