United Arab Emirates-based collective management organization Music Nation Copyrights Management has appointed intellectual property attorney Aisha Salem-Howey as General Counsel.
The appointment came about a month after the company formally started operations following the receipt of approval from the UAE government in June to operate a CMO in the country.
Salem-Howey will lead legal, regulatory and governance strategy for the company while also handling international engagement. She will play a key role in signing MusicNation’s first deals with societies, publishers, record labels, artists and other rightsholders.
She will work from Abu Dhabi, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Amer Samhoun.
Before joining Music Nation, Aisha Salem-Howey served as intellectual property attaché for the Middle East and North Africa at the US Patent and Trademark Office, working from the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In that role, she collaborated with governments and businesses across the region on IP protection and enforcement issues. Prior to serving as IP attaché at the US PTO, she was as a trademark examining attorney at the same government office.
“Aisha brings an unparalleled combination of international IP expertise and passion for music.”
Amer Samhoun, Music Nation
Samhoun said: “Aisha brings an unparalleled combination of international IP expertise and passion for music. Her leadership will be essential as we continue to strengthen the legal foundation that ensures rights holders are fairly compensated and protected across the Emirates and beyond.”
Her background also includes positions at the International Intellectual Property Alliance, Florida IP law firm Allen, Dyer, P.A., and NBCUniversal‘s business and legal affairs department.
Commenting on her appointment at Music Nation, Salem-Howey said: “After working on music rights and collective management policy on the government side, I’m thrilled to join Music Nation’s leadership team and put my experience to work for creators.
“What Music Nation is building is truly groundbreaking – establishing the UAE’s first comprehensive rights management infrastructure is both innovative and essential for the region’s creative economy.
“I’m excited to join such a passionate team that’s deeply committed to transparency, efficiency, and ensuring creators are properly valued. This work isn’t just about fair compensation, it’s about shaping a sustainable future for music across the region.”
“After working on music rights and collective management policy on the government side, I’m thrilled to join Music Nation’s leadership team and put my experience to work for creators.”
Aisha Salem-Howey, Music Nation
Salem-Howey joins Music Nation’s executive team that also includes Amer Samhoun as Chief Executive Officer, James Petrie as Chief Operating Officer, and Ali Dee as Chief Creative Officer. They all report to Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Founder and Chairwoman of Music Nation, and will work from offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
An arts patron and filmmaker, Al Mubarak also serves on the board of International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance
Music Nation launched with what it claims to be “advanced song matching accuracy by integrating with the global databases of BMI and SoundExchange, reducing unmatched royalties and accelerating payouts”.
The company claims to be the first rights organization in the region to provide a “single platform uniquely capable of combining streamlined licensing for public venues, broadcasters, and events, with transparent reporting and on-time distributions for creators”.
During the launch, Al Mubarak said: “Today marks the start of a new era for artists in the UAE. With Music Nation’s technology and a leadership team that understands both the UAE’s cultural fabric and global music operations, we’re delivering a simple, transparent, and modern licensing solution that easily licenses businesses and quickly pays creators.”
Music Business Worldwide