ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES,
Client Music Nation
Project Market Size Analysis and Revenue Forecast
Year 2025
CHALLENGE
Neighbouring rights – the rights granted to performers and producers of sound recordings for the public performance of their work – remain underdeveloped in many markets. In the UAE, where the music and entertainment economy is growing quickly, this potential had not been fully realised due to the absence of a local Collective Management Organization (CMO).
Music Nation, recently approved by the UAE government to administer royalties for more than 2 million rights owners, commissioned Sound Diplomacy to assess the scale of the opportunity and model future revenues. The goal was to build an economic case for establishing a CMO capable of collecting and distributing neighbouring rights income in the country.
STRATEGY
The study applied an econometric model and cluster analysis, using secondary data sources such as IFPI performance rights data, alongside economic, demographic, and cultural indicators. These included GDP per capita, internet and mobile penetration, cultural trade flows, and the regulatory framework.
Findings & outcomes
Following the study, the UAE Ministry of Economy approved Music Nation as the country’s first rights management organisation for neighbouring rights and public performance.
With partnerships in place with BMI and SoundExchange, Music Nation is positioned to:
License and collect royalties across key rights categories
Represent domestic and international rightsholders
Provide transparent, technology-driven distribution
Establish reciprocal agreements with CMOs worldwide
The Ministry of Economy has stated that collective rights management will play a role in supporting music creators and strengthening the UAE’s cultural economy.