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IFPI signs memorandum of understanding with government in United Arab Emirates

By | Published on Monday 30 May 2022

IFPI

The International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the government of the United Arab Emirates which aims to support the growth of the music industry in the country, mainly by bringing its copyright laws up to international standards, and setting up a collecting society representing recording rights in the market.

The agreement is with UAE’s Ministry Of Economy, and will see the global trade group and government department collaborate in various ways, “including sharing relevant information and data; creating a copyright framework that aligns with international standards; and enforcing, collecting and protecting the rights” of recording artists and record labels.

Although, as a regional market, the Middle East and North Africa generates relatively low revenues for the record industry at large – in the wider scheme of things – it was also the fastest growing region in terms of recorded music revenues last year.

That growth was mainly fuelled by the ongoing streaming boom, though capitalising on all the opportunities in the region requires ensuring each country’s copyright system fully protects sound recording rights, including in those scenarios where monies are usually collecting through the collective licensing system.

Commenting on the memorandum of understanding with the UAE government, IFPI boss Frances Moore says: “This is a very exciting time for the music industry in the UAE and the MoU is an important next step to ensuring its future growth”.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the Ministry Of Economy in a number of areas to support the development of the industry in a way that is sustainable for the long term”, she goes on. “Our priority is to develop an official music licensing company that will license the use of recordings for broadcast and public performance under UAE law”.

Meanwhile, the country’s Assistant Undersecretary For Commercial Affairs, Abdulaziz Al-Nuaimi, adds: “There’s a saying that the future has already happened, unfolding one day at a time. We believe the partnership with IFPI and its members shall unfold the music industry future the same way, as each day passes. Among other areas included in the MoU, collective management is only the beginning to fuel the economic potential of the UAE’s and the region’s creative economy”.



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