DUBAI - The Ministry of Economy and Tourism of the UAE has recently introduced its first Collective Management Guide for Music, which sets out regulations for the commercial use of copyrighted music in a variety of settings, such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, retail stores, shopping malls, gyms, and airlines. This new guide, pursuant to Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, provides a framework for the collection and distribution of payments associated with music copyright and related rights. The new licensing fees will come into effect starting from December 1, 2026.

For businesses that use background music or host live performers, this announcement brings about a significant change. It is no longer sufficient to simply have music playing in the background, as businesses now need to ensure that the music they use is legally cleared and aligns with their brand and customer experience.

In line with this, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has designated two organizations to conduct collective management activities for music: Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA) and Music Nation. These organizations will be responsible for issuing licenses, collecting applicable fees, and distributing royalties to creators and rights holders.

Source: AGIP (Middle East), 31 August 2026. Original link: https://www.agip.com/News/en/news/23598