Ministry of Economy and Tourism launches ‘Collective Management in Music Guide’ setting fees for music use in cafés, restaurants, hotels, radio stations, TV channels, malls and airlines

Fees to be collected starting December 2026

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of the ‘Collective Management in Music Guide’ to regulate the local music market and raise awareness of the framework for protecting the rights of authors, creators and music production companies, composers and songwriters, singers and musicians, sound recording producers, and music publishers. The Guide establishes an integrated framework for collectively managing these rights, safeguarding musical works, fostering creativity and innovation and supporting the growth of creative industries in the UAE.

Categories of entities and establishments subject to music use fees

The Guide, issued by the Ministry pursuant to Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026 on the Adoption of the Collective Management in Music Guide, sets out the fees for obtaining a licence to conduct collective management activities in the music sector, which are required to be paid by the relevant categories of entities and establishments in the UAE. These include restaurants and cafés, shopping malls, fitness centres, hotels and floating hotels, airlines, radio stations, television channels, as well as concerts and similar events held in the UAE, as the use of music in these establishments and at such events involves copyright and neighbouring rights.

Entities responsible for fee collection

The Ministry noted that the fees will take effect at the start of December 2026. The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation will be responsible for collecting the fees and managing the relevant rights efficiently, transparently and fairly. Both entities have been authorised by the Ministry to conduct collective management of music rights, including overseeing the collection and distribution of payments to music creators and rights holders in the UAE.

Enhancing competitiveness of the UAE’s music and creative industries

In this regard, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The UAE places great importance on enhancing the competitiveness of the music and creative industries and strengthening their position as vital sectors supporting the growth of the national economy. In recognition of the important role these industries play in advancing economic diversification, we continue our efforts to provide an enabling environment for talented individuals and innovators, protect their rights, and advance the legislative and regulatory framework for the creative economy, in line with the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 vision.”

H.E. added: “The Ministry’s launch of the ‘Collective Management in Music Guide represents’ is an important step in developing an integrated governance framework for copyright and neighboring rights in the UAE, enhancing the efficiency of rights management in line with international best practices, strengthening the principles of transparency and fairness in their distribution, and improving the regulation of the music sector. This is in line with relevant legislation and international agreements and further enhances the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for the creative economy and intellectual property protection.”

Facilitating management of financial and artistic rights in the UAE

In detail, the ‘Collective Management in Music Guide’ facilitates the management of financial and artistic rights, reduces the risk of infringements of creators’ rights, and standardises fee structures and licensing mechanisms. This ensures the lawful and fair use of musical works while enabling authorised entities to monitor and assess the use of music in accordance with the highest standards of legal compliance, professional efficiency and rights protection.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism grants licences for collective management activities in music to the categories of entities and establishments specified in the Guide for a one-year period, renewable in accordance with the applicable rules and conditions. The Guide further sets out the fee categories for licences needed to conduct collective management activities in music, categorised according to the nature of use and the scale of economic activity.

Uses and categories exempt from fee payment

The Ministry clarified that a number of uses and categories are exempt from the payment of these fees, including educational and academic institutions, government entities, uses occurring in national occasions, and non-commercial personal celebrations and events, as well as any other uses or categories that the Ministry may decide to exempt from such fees by way of a resolution issued to that effect.

Fund for supporting cultural and music industries

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism further indicated that the Guide provides for the establishment of a ‘Cultural Support Fund for Music,’ aimed at providing financial, technical and artistic support in composition, music production, distribution and live performances. It seeks to empower creators and creative talent, support the growth of the cultural and music industries, and enhance the presence of Emirati music at both regional and international levels by supporting export activities, cultural exchange, and participation in global festivals and events. It also aims to develop the knowledge infrastructure and skills within the UAE’s music ecosystem through training programmes, workshops, residencies and artistic grants.

The Fund will contribute to promoting cultural diversity and inclusion by supporting emerging talent and empowering musicians from among children, youth and people of determination, alongside encouraging creative integration between music and other art forms. It will further enhance the sustainability of the cultural music scene through multi-stakeholder partnerships, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution and utilisation of resources.

Joint committee for fund management

The Ministry explained that the Fund will operate under its supervision and will be managed through a joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture. Furthermore, 10 per cent of the total amount collected will be allocated to finance the Fund and support its various programmes and initiatives, with the relevant collecting entities – namely the ‘Emirates Music Rights Association’ and ‘Music Nation’ – being required to open an independent bank account for the Fund into which the allocated funds shall be deposited. The Fund’s resources and procedures shall be administered by the Fund Management Committee, with strict adherence to transparency in accordance with the approved controls.

Strengthening oversight of entities and establishments authorised to conduct collective music management

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism indicated that it will oversee the operations of entities and establishments authorised to engage in collective management, including monitoring their compliance with the provisions of the decree-law on copyright and related rights and its implementing regulations. This includes carrying out on-site inspections and reviewing relevant records, documents, and technical and financial systems.

The Ministry is also competent to receive complaints from rights holders, users or concerned parties regarding any infringements relating to the legal or regulatory obligations of collective management, and to examine such complaints, seek amicable settlements, or take the necessary regulatory measures in respect thereof.

The Ministry may also, whenever regulatory necessity or the public interest so requires, amend any of the terms, controls or obligations associated with the licence to practice collective management activities in music during its period of validity, and the licensed entity shall be obliged to implement such amendments immediately upon their approval.