For Dubai, Abu Dhabi & across the UAE
Music licensing in the UAE is changing.
Get your business ready.
The UAE now has two government-recognised music rights bodies — EMRA and Music Nation — and enforcement spot-checks on hotels, cafés, gyms, and retail have already begun. Sonosfera gives your business professionally curated, fully licensed background music before the full enforcement regime arrives.
From AED 75/month per location · No hardware required · Cancel anytime
What's changing in the UAE
The UAE now has formal music rights enforcement
For most of its history, the UAE had no centralised music licensing authority. That changed in 2025. Two collective management organisations (CMOs) have now been granted government approval — and both are actively approaching businesses.
EMRA
Emirates Music Rights Association — granted the UAE's first collective management licence by the Ministry of Economy in April 2025. EMRA represents local and international music rights holders and is authorised to issue blanket licences to commercial establishments.
Visit emraorg.aeMusic Nation
Music Nation — the UAE's second approved CMO, backed by BMI and SoundExchange, approved in June 2025. Its launch signals that the UAE is building a dual-CMO framework similar to mature markets. Businesses may ultimately need licences from both organisations.
Read the Billboard announcementWhat this means for your business
Spot-check enforcement targeting hotels, cafés, gyms, spas, and retail outlets began in Q3/Q4 2025. Tariff schedules have not yet been published — but the licensing framework is live. Businesses using commercial streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music without a business licence remain at risk. The practical question is not whether enforcement will escalate, but when.
Why Sonosfera
Already covered — when enforcement arrives
Sonosfera's AI-generated catalogue sidesteps the EMRA/Music Nation framework entirely. You get world-class background music with zero PRO exposure — and you are already prepared for whatever tariff schedule gets published.
AI-generated — no PRO registration required
Every track in the Sonosfera catalogue is AI-composed. AI-generated music is not registered with EMRA, Music Nation, or any global PRO — meaning there are no performance fees to pay on top of your subscription.
Ready before enforcement escalates
Switching to Sonosfera now means your music infrastructure is already compliant when EMRA and Music Nation begin issuing formal tariff demands. No scramble, no gap period.
Built for premium hospitality and retail
Curated playlists designed for the venue types EMRA is focusing on — hotel lobbies, restaurants, cafés, spas, boutique gyms, and retail. Mood scheduling that adapts from morning to evening without manual intervention.
No hardware, no long-term contracts
Works on any device. Stream directly from your browser or the Sonosfera app. Monthly billing in AED. Cancel anytime.
Built for the businesses EMRA is watching
EMRA's initial enforcement focus covers the exact business types Sonosfera was designed for.
Hotels & Lobbies
EMRA enforcement is prioritising the hospitality sector. International hotel brands and boutique properties in Dubai Marina, DIFC, and Abu Dhabi need music infrastructure that holds up to scrutiny.
Cafés & Restaurants
The fastest-growing sector in Dubai. Specialty coffee shops, casual dining, and fine dining all rely on music as a brand signal. Sonosfera schedules itself — morning acoustics to evening ambience.
Spas & Wellness Centres
The UAE wellness economy is among the most premium in the world. Music is the first element guests notice. Sonosfera's clean, curated playlists are built for high-trust sensory environments.
Boutique Gyms & Fitness Studios
F45, Orangetheory, and independent operators all need music that energises without copyright risk. Sonosfera's energy-matched scheduling adapts to class type and time of day automatically.
How Sonosfera compares
Only Sonosfera's AI-generated catalogue eliminates EMRA/Music Nation exposure entirely. Every other service still leaves you with potential licensing obligations.
| Service | Price | No EMRA fees | No hardware | AI-curated | Self-serve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonosfera | AED 75/mo | ||||
| Soundtrack Your Brand | AED ~136/mo | — | — | ||
| Mood Media | Custom contract | — | — | — | — |
| SoundMachine | AED ~100/mo | — | — | ||
| Spotify (consumer) | AED ~40/mo | — | — |
Prices converted at approximate AED/USD rate. Competitor prices exclude any EMRA or Music Nation licence fees that may apply separately. Spotify consumer accounts are not licensed for commercial use.
Simple pricing
One flat subscription
No EMRA fees on top. No Music Nation fees on top. Just one monthly amount that covers everything.
Per location
Billed monthly · cancel anytime
- Unlimited background music
- AI mood scheduling (morning → close)
- Explicit content filtering
- Works on any device — no hardware
- No EMRA or Music Nation fees on top
Common questions
Do I legally need a music licence in the UAE?
Yes — as of 2025, the UAE requires commercial establishments to obtain licences from government-approved collective management organisations. EMRA (Emirates Music Rights Association) and Music Nation are both approved CMOs. Businesses playing recorded music in hotels, restaurants, cafés, gyms, spas, and retail outlets are within the enforcement scope. Formal tariff schedules had not been published as of early 2026, but spot-check audits have already begun.
What is EMRA and what does it do?
EMRA — the Emirates Music Rights Association — was granted the UAE's first collective management licence by the Ministry of Economy in April 2025. It represents music rights holders and is authorised to issue blanket performance licences to commercial establishments. EMRA's focus areas include hospitality, retail, gyms, spas, and event spaces.
What is Music Nation and is it different from EMRA?
Music Nation is the UAE's second approved CMO, launched in June 2025 with backing from BMI and SoundExchange. It represents a different pool of rights holders — particularly US-repertoire artists. UAE businesses may ultimately need licences from both EMRA and Music Nation to achieve full coverage, similar to how UK businesses need both PPL and PRS. Sonosfera's AI-generated music is registered with neither, so this dual-CMO complexity does not apply.
What does Sonosfera include — are there hidden fees?
Your Sonosfera subscription (AED 75/month per location) covers everything: the full AI-generated music catalogue, mood-matched scheduling, explicit content filtering, and streaming on any device. Because all music is AI-generated, it is not registered with EMRA, Music Nation, or any global PRO — so there are no performance licensing fees owed on top of your subscription.
Can I use Spotify or Apple Music for my business in the UAE?
Consumer streaming accounts (Spotify Premium, Apple Music) are not licensed for commercial public performance. Playing them in a hotel lobby, café, or retail space violates the terms of service and creates exposure under UAE's new licensing framework. A dedicated business music service is required.
Does Sonosfera work without installing hardware?
Yes. Sonosfera streams directly from your browser or the app on any internet-connected device — phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer. There is no proprietary hardware, no installation cost, and no maintenance contract.
Be ready when enforcement arrives.
Set up in under 3 minutes. No hardware. No EMRA or Music Nation fees on top. Cancel anytime. The easiest infrastructure decision you will make this year.
AED 75/month · Works on any device · No setup fee