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HomeNewsMinistry of Economy signs MoU with IFPI to develop system to protect...

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

Abu Dhabi, 2
June 2022-
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.