Establishments across the country must obtain formal authorization and pay licensing fees to stream or play copyrighted music publicly.
DUBAI — Public venues across the United Arab Emirates, including cafes, hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls, are now strictly required to obtain official licenses and pay designated fees to play copyrighted music on their premises.
The mandate enforces intellectual property and copyright protection regulations established by the Ministry of Economy. Under these guidelines, commercial establishments utilizing recorded, broadcast, or live music for background ambiance or entertainment must secure a public performance license. The system ensures that music creators, composers, and record labels receive appropriate royalties when their work is utilized for commercial purposes.
Failure to secure the necessary authorization can result in legal action, including administrative fines and operational penalties from local regulatory authorities. Business operators must register through designated collective management organizations (CMOs) operating within the country to calculate licensing tiers, which are based on business categories, venue size, and the nature of music usage.
The enforcement aligns with broader efforts across the GCC region to strengthen copyright legal frameworks and protect artistic rights in line with international treaties managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
