UAE: Fees on operating music in restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of the “Collective Management Guide in Music,” aimed at regulating the local music market and strengthening the protection of the rights of authors, creators, and music production companies, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The guide, issued under Ministerial Decision No. 136 of 2026, specifies licensing fees for carrying out collective management activities in the music sector. It covers a range of entities and venues that use music, including restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, fitness centers, hotels, airlines, radio stations, and television channels, as well as concerts and similar events.
The ministry stated that the implementation of the fees will begin in December 2026, with the Emirates Music Rights Society and Music Nation responsible for collecting the fees and managing the rights, after obtaining licenses to conduct collective music management activities.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism clarified that certain uses and categories are exempt from paying these fees. These include educational and academic institutions, government entities, uses carried out in the context of national events, celebrations, and personal non-commercial occasions, as well as any other uses or categories that the ministry may exempt from fee payment through a subsequent decision.
The guide aims to provide a comprehensive framework for managing the rights of musicians, composers, songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, sound recording producers, and music publishers, ensuring the protection of musical works and the transparent and fair collection and distribution of rights holders’ entitlements.
The ministry is responsible for receiving complaints filed by rights holders, users, or relevant parties regarding any violations related to legal or regulatory obligations of collective management. It will review such complaints and seek to resolve them amicably or take appropriate regulatory measures.
