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The UAE has introduced a new framework governing the commercial use of copyrighted music across restaurants, cafés, hotels, retail stores, shopping malls, gyms, airlines and other businesses.
Introduced through the UAE’s new Collective Management Guide for Music, the framework establishes clearer rules for how businesses obtain music licences and how royalties are collected and distributed to creators and rights holders.
The new licensing fees are scheduled to take effect on 1 December 2026.
For businesses that use background music, host live performers or incorporate music into customer experiences, the announcement represents an important shift. Music can no longer be treated as something that is simply played in the background. Businesses must consider both whether the music is legally cleared and whether it supports the intended brand experience.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism introduced the Collective Management Guide for Music under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The guide creates a more structured system for the commercial use of copyrighted music. It defines how licences are issued, how fees are collected and how royalties are distributed to composers, songwriters, performers, producers, publishers and other rights holders.
The framework does not mean that music copyright has suddenly been introduced in the UAE. Copyrighted music was already protected under UAE law. The major development is the introduction of a clearer collective licensing and royalty-management system for commercial music use.
Licences will generally be issued annually and may be renewed according to the applicable rules and conditions.
The framework applies to several industries and types of commercial music use, including:
The exact licensing requirements and fees may differ depending on the nature of the business, the size of the venue and how the music is used.
For example, a restaurant playing background music may be treated differently from a hotel hosting regular live performances or a venue featuring DJs.
The new music licensing fees are expected to take effect from 1 December 2026.
This gives businesses time to review how music is currently being used across their physical spaces, events and customer touchpoints.
Businesses should begin identifying:
Businesses operating several branches should consider conducting this review across the entire network rather than assessing each venue independently.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has authorised two organisations to conduct collective management activities for music:
These organisations will be responsible for activities that include issuing licences, collecting applicable fees and distributing royalties to creators and rights holders.
The Ministry will maintain regulatory oversight and may inspect records and systems connected to collective rights management. Complaints from music users and rights holders may also be submitted to the Ministry.
The licensing fees will not necessarily be the same for every business.
Fee categories are expected to consider factors such as:
Businesses should therefore avoid relying on general figures circulating online. The relevant fee will depend on the official category and the circumstances of the music use.
The framework identifies several exempt categories and uses, including:
Additional exemptions may be introduced through future decisions.
However, a business should not assume that it is exempt simply because music is not its main product. Background music used to support a commercial environment may still qualify as commercial music use.
A personal Spotify subscription should not be treated as a commercial music solution for a restaurant, hotel, store, gym or other public-facing business.
Consumer streaming subscriptions are generally intended for personal and non-commercial listening. Paying for a personal streaming account does not automatically grant a business the rights required to play that music publicly.
The new UAE licensing framework and the terms of the platform used to deliver the music are also separate considerations. Obtaining a public-performance licence does not necessarily override the conditions of a consumer streaming service.
Businesses should use a properly licensed business music provider or another solution that explicitly permits commercial playback.
Not automatically.
The term “royalty-free” does not always mean that music can be used anywhere, for any purpose, without restrictions. It normally means that the track is offered under a particular licence that may remove certain recurring payments.
The licence must still cover the business’s intended use, including public playback where relevant. Some licences cover online content but not music played inside a commercial venue.
Businesses using royalty-free music should review the actual licence rather than relying solely on the description attached to the track.
Music licensing determines whether a business has the appropriate permission to use music. Music strategy determines whether that music is right for the brand and the customer experience.
A business can be legally licensed while still playing music that feels inconsistent, repetitive or disconnected from its identity. Similarly, a perfectly curated playlist still needs to be delivered through a legally suitable system.
A strong business music programme should address both areas:
MusicGrid’s Immersive Music Experiences help businesses create curated, brand-aligned music environments across retail, hospitality, food and beverage and other customer-facing spaces.
Businesses do not need to stop using music, but they should begin preparing before the new fees take effect.
A practical first step is to carry out a music-use audit covering every relevant venue and touchpoint.
The review should establish:
Businesses should then confirm the applicable requirements with an authorised licensing organisation or a qualified legal adviser.
For companies with multiple locations, this is also an opportunity to replace inconsistent music choices with a more structured business playlist and immersive music strategy.
The new system is designed to provide creators and rights holders with a clearer path to receiving royalties when their work is used commercially.
The framework also establishes a Cultural Support Fund for Music. Ten percent of the amounts collected will be allocated to the fund, supporting areas such as music composition, production, distribution, live performance and emerging talent.
Beyond compliance, the development signals a broader shift in how music is valued across the UAE. Music is increasingly being recognised as intellectual property, a commercial asset and an important part of the country’s creative economy.
For businesses, this means music choices should become more intentional. The question is no longer only, “What should we play?” It is also, “Do we have the appropriate rights, and is this music contributing to the experience we want to create?”
This article provides general industry information and should not be treated as legal advice. Businesses should confirm their specific licensing obligations with an authorised licensing organisation or qualified legal adviser.
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