Technology has intersected with the music industry, and this has created new opportunities for creators. From electrical instruments to digital studio technology has given a good platform for artists to create new work, while it has also provided new challenges to protect the creative work. In the UAE, creative works are protected under the Copyright law, and creators can secure their work through copyright registration.
In the UAE, copyright protection will be provided during the creation of the work, but registration will offer a strong legal protection during legal disputes. Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2021 governs the legal framework for copyright protection in the UAE. The UAE is a member of the Berne Convention, and this will be beneficial for artists and creators in the country.
Copyright protection in the digital age:
The digital age has provided several opportunities for creators to distribute their work, and it has also introduced challenges, too. Digital content can be easily copied, transferred, and altered, which poses a significant challenge for artists. The copyright law in the UAE is designed in a way that creators can secure their work in the digital realm. In the UAE, you can protect creative works such as Literary works, audio-visual works, musical works, architectural works, etc. In the UAE, Copyright protection will last for 50 years after the creator’s lifetime.
Artists can protect the compositions, songs, and sound recordings in the UAE. A musical work can obtain copyright protection if it is expressed in a tangible form. Creators will have exclusive rights over their musical work, and the copyright owner can distribute, sell, or license their musical work. A work should be original to obtain copyright protection in the UAE. Creators need to ensure that their work is legally protected before distributing it.
The ease of sharing and distributing the digital content should be considered before launching a creative work; this has made it crucial to obtain copyright protection for the creative work. Online platforms are mostly used for music conception; creators should be aware of the types of licenses and DRM tools before distributing their work on the online platform. Also, the advent of AI has created several challenges for creators. AI can be used to modify digital music content, and this is why creators should have good IP strategies to protect their musical work.
UAE’s copyright protection in the digital era:
The digital copyright law ensures the protection of creative works on the online platform. You can protect your creative work in the digital space by registering your creative work. Unauthorised use of copyrighted work can lead to severe penalties. Copyright law in the UAE empowers the IP owners to take legal action against infringement, and thus, you will be able to report infringement websites and online platforms. In the UAE, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) play a significant role in monitoring illegal streaming services and other forms of online piracy. Violators may face stringent penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment.
Additionally, the UAE allows copyright owners to use DRM tools, which can be used to control the usage of the creative work in digital platforms. The UAE has launched the Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA). EMRA offers a rigid framework for managing and enforcing copyright in the UAE’s music industry, which will ensure that the composers, music creators, and producers will receive compensation for the use of their work. This initiative by the UAE government is to align with the international standards and also to foster creativity.
When entering into a collaboration, you need to have a clear and comprehensive agreement outlining the ownership, usage, etc. Copyright monitoring should be done on online platforms to find out potential infringement, so that creators can take relevant measures to prevent the infringement; otherwise, it could affect the value of their creative work.
Secure your creative work in the UAE with the help of IP professionals:
Digital technology and AI have given several opportunities and challenges for musicians. Creative work should be registered to obtain legal protection. Online monitoring is necessary to maintain the value of the creative work, and this is why you should seek the guidance of Jitendra Intellectual Property. Our IP professionals can help you with copyright registration in the UAE. Additionally, we can help you with online monitoring.