Music licensing in
the UAE
Playing music in a business is a public performance — and it needs different licences from listening at home. Here's what that means for your venue in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE, and how Araya keeps you covered.
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Rights cleared on every track
Every song carries two rights
To play a track publicly, a business needs permission for both sides of the copyright. Miss either one and the music isn't properly licensed — even if you paid for the app playing it.
The recording
The master recording — the actual track you hear — belongs to the artist and their record label. Playing it in your venue requires permission for that specific recording.
The composition
The underlying song — melody and lyrics — belongs to the songwriters and publishers. A public performance of the song needs their authorisation too, separately from the recording.
Want the deep dive? Background music licensing explained for businesses walks through what an inspector asks for and how multi-site groups handle it.
Why consumer apps aren't legal in your business
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Deezer are licensed for personal listening. Their own terms exclude commercial, public use — so a personal subscription never covers your venue.
- Spotify
Personal, non-commercial use only
- Apple Music
Licensed for personal use
- YouTube
Not cleared for public performance in venues
- Deezer
Private, non-commercial listening only
Links go to each service's own terms of use. A commercially licensed service like Araya's exists precisely because these agreements don't cover businesses.
The UAE is not a licensing vacuum
Copyright in the Emirates is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Music played publicly in a venue needs authorisation from rights holders — and the responsibility for securing it sits with the business playing the music.
- International collecting societies are active across the region
- Hotels, malls, restaurants and retail estates are all in scope
- Keep written confirmation of coverage on file per site
- Live music and ticketed events may need separate permission
The simple compliant route
Araya Sound supplies curated music that is cleared for commercial use in your venues — licensing, playlists, scheduling and hardware from one accountable partner. No paperwork chasing, no grey areas, and a written summary of what's covered per site.
Get licensed with ArayaWhen you may need extra permissions
Background music is one thing — some formats sit outside a standard licence. If any of these apply to your venue, mention it in your brief and we'll map out what's needed.
Live music & resident DJs
Hosting performers or a DJ playing their own selections can fall outside a background music licence and usually needs separate authorisation.
Ticketed events
If you charge admission — a brunch with entertainment, a New Year's gala, a launch party — different public performance rules apply.
Choreographed fitness classes
Music timed to movement in classes like spin or aerobics is often licensed differently from ambient background music.
Three steps to fully covered
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Drop us a quick brief
Tell us about your venue — size, zones, opening hours and the atmosphere you're after. Five minutes is enough.
- 02
We curate and license your music
We design playlists for your brand and supply them through our commercially licensed service, with the paperwork in order per site.
- 03
You're legal — and sounding great
Music plays on schedule, licences are covered, and there's one accountable partner for curation, licensing and hardware.
Licensing FAQs
Play it legally, make it sound incredible
Tell us about your venue and we'll handle the music, the licensing and the sound system — one partner, end to end.