Copyright, Collection Societies and All That Jazz: A Review of Public Performance of Music in the UAE

Analysis

We have recently seen another influx of letters being sent to local UAE entities regarding the use of music, and in particular the collection of public performance royalties.

These letters are coming from a European Collective Licensing Body. This seems to happen annually in the Middle East and, given that the letters cause some confusion and anxiety amongst local operators, it is a good time to address the issue of copyright in music and in particular the role played by music Collective Licensing Bodies.