The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has licensed its first Collective Management Organization (CMO) for music rights, marking a significant step toward structured royalty collection and enhanced protection of intellectual property in the creative sector.

The newly established entity will oversee the collection and distribution of royalties on behalf of composers, producers, performers, and other rights holders. Under the new system, businesses that use music commercially—including shopping malls, broadcasters, hotels, and radio stations—must obtain licenses and compensate rights holders accordingly.

This development addresses longstanding challenges faced by music creators in the UAE, who previously had to manage royalty claims independently, often resulting in inconsistent enforcement. The new framework brings the country in line with international standards and practices.

The initiative forms part of the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen its creative economy, which aims to contribute 5% to the national GDP by 2031.

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