Photo Credit: David Rodrigo
Abu Dhabi-based rights management entity ESMAA announces a licensing agreement with streaming platform Anghami, marking the end of the two parties’ legal dispute.
ESMAA, an Abu Dhabi-based rights management entity representing global music stakeholders in the Gulf and Middle East, and Anghami, the leading music and entertainment streaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), have announced a new music licensing agreement on behalf of independent music publishers.
The deal marks the resolution of a legal dispute between ESMAA and Anghami, clearing the way for a new joint performance and mechanical licensing agreement based on global practices for representation, reporting, and claims. ESMAA represents the repertoire of PopArabia, including the company’s Arabic music catalog and its global sub-published repertoire, and that of IMPEL, the international collective of music publishers.
This partnership is the first of its kind between international independent music publishers and a domestic streaming service, reaffirming ESMAA and Anghami’s commitment to supporting the music ecosystem in the MENA region, ensuring fair compensation for songwriters, composers, and publishers while delivering exceptional value to consumers.
Dedicated to advancing the music and arts ecosystem in the Gulf region, ESMAA’s mission is to protect the rights of songwriters, artists, and rights owners by providing a solution to licensing their music in the Gulf and Middle East. ESMAA has already licensed music in numerous public spaces, in the retail sector, as well as live events. The rights management entity represents labels, PROs, music publishers, performers, and composers in the region.
Anghami is the leading multi-media technology streaming platform in the MENA region, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of exclusive premium video, music, podcasts, live entertainment, audio services, and more. Since its launch in 2012, Anghami has led the way as the first music streaming platform to digitize MENA’s music catalog, reshaping the region’s entertainment landscape. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Anghami operates in 16 countries across MENA, with offices in Beirut, Dubai, Cairo, and Riyadh.
