Ministry of Economy signs MoU with IFPI to develop system to protect rights of authors and creators in UAE

The MoU aims at encouraging record companies to invest and expand their business in the country's markets

 The Ministry of Economy (MoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), a non-profit organisation, to chalk out new mechanisms to foster the system that protects the rights of authors and inventors in creative industries, especially in the artistic and musical sectors in the UAE.

The MoU also aims at encouraging record companies to invest and expand their businesses in the UAE’s markets, through the development of collective management policies for literature and intellectual works. The MoU was signed by H.E Abdulaziz Ibrahim Ali Al-Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Affairs Regulatory Sector and Francis Moore, CEO of the IFPI in the presence of several officials from both sides.

H.E Abdulaziz Ibrahim Ali Al-Nuaimi asserted that the UAE has paid great attention to developing the environment for protecting intellectual property in its various applications in line with the directives of its wise leadership. “The most important of which is the protection of copyright, neighboring rights and intellectual works in all the fields of literature, arts and science,” he said, adding that the record industry, artistic and musicians represent one of the prominent creative activities for which the UAE seeks to develop the intellectual protection system.”

H.E said this system will be in accordance with the best practices to enhances the position of the UAE as a supportive and stimulating place for creators and talents, and an attractive destination for projects and investments in this vital field. “This MoU is a new step in the country's efforts to take its intellectual property system to a new level. It is the first of its kind in the region and will help the UAE to keep pace with all developments taking place around the world in the field of protecting creativity and innovation in line with the objectives and principles of Project of the 50, and the determinants of the UAE Centennial 2071,” he added.

H.E pointed out that national efforts will continue in this direction to provide a safe and attractive environment for innovators and creators, guarantee their rights, transform their creative ideas into reality and prosper their businesses - ensuring the consolidation of the UAE’s reputation as a safe and reliable economic destination that celebrates creativity, innovation, and knowledge economy.

Under this MoU, a first of its kind joint management group, consisting of teams from MoE and IFPI, will be created so that they maintain broadcasting and performance rights in the country, launch awareness campaigns for musical records, guarantee non-infringement of copyrights for companies working in the creative industries, as well as establishing a joint work committee between the Ministry of Economy and the IFPI to set work foundations and procedures which protect the rights of authors in creative audio, musical, and artistic activities.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive Officer of IFPI, commended the efforts made by the UAE to promote and issue copyrights and their supportive laws and legislations. Noting that the MoU offers a chance to ensure the continuous development and growth of the music industry in the country, he emphasised that the IFPI is looking forward to future collaboration and exchange experiences with the Ministry in the upcoming stage.

Located in London, the IFPI - the biggest non-profit organization that represents the interests of the phonogram industry worldwide - has more than 8000 members of international leading music record companies from over 70 countries. The Federation additionally promotes the value of musical records, protects copyrights, and offers awareness campaigns on the protection of copyrights, combating piracy, and expanding commercial usages for globally recorded music.

It is worth noting that the UAE Federal Decree-Law no. (38) of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights, which was issued on last December, has contributed to provide a comprehensive legislative environment to promote investment in creative and artistic industries, support the intellectual and innovative outcome, protect intellectual property in areas of production, music, and other creative industries in arts, science, and aesthetics, as well as the sectors of new economy and digital world, such as programming and smart apps.