A significant partnership has been established between SoundExchange and Music Nation Copyrights Management, a prominent music rights organization in the United Arab Emirates. This alliance aims to ensure equitable remuneration for sound recording owners, producers, and artists when their music is publicly performed within the UAE’s music industry. Announced on March 26, this collaboration allows Music Nation to utilize SoundExchange's advanced technology and data systems for collecting and distributing neighboring rights royalties. The initiative introduces the UAE's first comprehensive rights management system, streamlining royalty collection processes and providing a unified solution for music rightsholders.

The partnership marks an important step forward in the UAE's evolving copyright landscape. Music Nation plays a crucial role by licensing the rights of authors, publishers, performers, and sound recording owners. Collaborations with organizations such as BMI and SoundExchange enhance the country's efforts to safeguard musical copyrights through a robust licensing and royalty distribution infrastructure. This new alliance builds upon Music Nation's existing cooperation with BMI, ensuring that local and international artists, songwriters, publishers, and record labels receive fair compensation for the use of their work in the UAE.

This development aligns with the region's rapid expansion in the music industry, as highlighted by IFPI's recent report showing a 22.8% increase in recorded music revenue in MENA in 2024, making it the fastest-growing music market globally. The timing of this partnership could not be more opportune, given the increasing demand for efficient royalty management systems in the region.

Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairwoman of Music Nation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing the importance of accurately collecting and distributing neighboring rights royalties to support the growth of the region's dynamic music ecosystem. Michael Huppe, president and CEO of SoundExchange, also shared his excitement, noting that SoundExchange's expertise in administration, rate settings, and international creator distributions will contribute significantly to propelling the emerging UAE market.

With this collaboration, the UAE is set to establish itself as a leader in music rights management, fostering a vibrant and sustainable music ecosystem. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and expertise, Music Nation and SoundExchange aim to empower creators and ensure they are fairly compensated for their contributions to the industry. This strategic partnership represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of music rights management in the region, paving the way for future growth and innovation.