Soundexchange & musicnation expand global rights management access for us and UAE rights holders. Sep 17, 2026, 09:09 ET Agreement establishes new cross-border pathway for artists, labels, and rights holders WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - SoundExchange, the largest neighboring rights organization in the world, and Music Nation Copyrights Management (MusicNation), a pioneer in music rights management in the United Arab Emirates, today announced the signing of a groundbreaking reciprocal agreement to strengthen cross-border neighboring rights administration and create new revenue streams for rights holders in the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement builds on SoundExchange's previously announced partnership with MusicNation to provide technology, data, and industry expertise supporting neighboring rights administration in the UAE. Together with MusicNation's partnership with BMI, the agreement reflects MusicNation's pivotal role in building the UAE's premier music licensing and royalty distribution infrastructure across neighboring rights, public performance rights, and mechanical rights. MusicNation was established as a collective management organization (CMO) to ensure that local and international performing artists, record labels, songwriters, publishers, and other rights holders are fully and fairly compensated for the use of their works in the UAE and, through reciprocal arrangements, in other markets where their works are used commercially. Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, said, "This groundbreaking reciprocal agreement with Music Nation will open a new revenue stream for SoundExchange artists and rights owners whose music is played in the UAE while ensuring Emirati creators are compensated when their music is played in the United States. It also enables SoundExchange to seamlessly provide these services for some of its partner CMOs around the world, who have the option of collecting UAE royalties through their existing agreements with SoundExchange." For MusicNation, the agreement represents another step in developing a globally connected rights management framework for the UAE. As the country's music, entertainment, hospitality, and cultural sectors continue to expand, MusicNation is building the infrastructure needed to support trusted licensing, transparent royalty collection, and accurate distribution for creators and rights holders in the UAE and around the world. Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of MusicNation, said, "Music is one of the most powerful expressions of identity, culture, and human artistry. As the UAE continues to develop and attract foreign investment into its creative economy, we have a responsibility to build the systems that ensure artists and rights holders are respected, and that musical IP is protected and fairly compensated to global standards. This agreement with SoundExchange represents a national and industry milestone, advancing MusicNation's mission to create a transparent, globally connected music rights ecosystem in the UAE and strengthens the foundation for a more sustainable creative future for our region." Amer M. Samhoun, CEO of MusicNation, said, "This agreement marks a pivotal step in MusicNation's international role as the UAE's music rights infrastructure continues to expand. It gives international CMOs and rights partners confidence that they can work with MusicNation in the UAE through a transparent and efficient system, and participate in the opportunities created by one of the region's fastest-growing creative markets." SoundExchange manages a worldwide network of more than 100 agreements with CMOs, covering 93% of the available global neighboring rights market. Nearly 600,000 artists and rights owners entrust SoundExchange to collect worldwide royalties on their behalf. Its agreement with MusicNation adds the UAE to that network and supports greater connection between the nation's rights holders and the global neighboring rights ecosystem. About MusicNation MusicNation, a pioneer in music rights management in the UAE, licenses the rights of authors, publishers, sound recording owners and performers throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These rights are referred to as neighboring rights (for sound recordings), public performance rights (for musical compositions) and mechanical reproduction rights (also for musical compositions). With world-class partnerships and technology, MusicNation is helping implement the UAE's vision for the protection and enforcement of musical copyrights by developing a world-class music licensing and royalty distribution infrastructure. MusicNation, with its partners BMI and SoundExchange, will help ensure that music creators and rights holders are fully and fairly compensated for the use of their work. For more information, visit https://www.wearemusicnation.ae. About SoundExchange SoundExchange is the largest global neighboring rights organization in the world, redefining how creators in the music industry get paid. By turning data into fast, accurate revenue for artists and rights owners, we have collected and distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties to date on behalf of more than 800,000 music creators. As the sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange seamlessly collects and distributes digital performance royalties from platforms like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and thousands more, as well as all available international performance royalties through a strong global partnership network. For more information, visit soundexchange.com. SOURCE SoundExchange

SOCAN & SoundExchange Announce Agreement for SOCAN to Acquire CMRRA. Business · JUL 29, 2026 PR Newswire Transaction will streamline reproduction rights services for music publishers and creators in Canada, leveraging nearly a decade of SoundExchange investmen... Transaction will streamline reproduction rights services for music publishers and creators in Canada, leveraging nearly a decade of SoundExchange investment in the operational transformation of CMRRA TORONTO and WASHINGTON, July 29, 2026 /CNW/ - SOCAN and SoundExchange today announced that they have entered into a purchase agreement under which SOCAN will acquire from SoundExchange, the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The transaction represents a shared commitment to strengthen the music rights ecosystem and ensure songwriters, composers, music publishers, artists, and rights owners continue to benefit from efficient, modern, and innovative rights administration services. The proposed acquisition brings together SOCAN's century-long leadership in performing rights administration and advocacy - alongside nearly a decade of reproduction rights expertise - with CMRRA's more than 50 years of specialized expertise in reproduction rights. "Acquiring CMRRA is about strengthening Canada's music rights landscape and building a more seamless experience for music publishers and creators. By bringing together CMRRA and SOCAN, we have an opportunity to harness our respective strengths and support long-term growth," said Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN. "SoundExchange has been a strong and reliable home for CMRRA, ensuring continuity and care through a period of significant change in our industry. That foundation in reproduction rights and expertise will play a central role in advancing a more connected and effective music rights management system in Canada." "When SoundExchange acquired CMRRA nearly a decade ago, we saw an opportunity to strengthen its foundation, invest in its future, and enhance the services it provides to music publishers and songwriters," said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. "Together, SoundExchange and CMRRA have built a strong, innovative, and thriving organization. We are proud of the progress achieved and believe SOCAN is the right organization to build on that success. This transaction benefits creators, publishers, and the broader music community while allowing SoundExchange to continue advancing our core mission of delivering value to artists and rights owners around the world." "CMRRA has benefited greatly from SoundExchange's investment, partnership, and commitment to our mission, and we are proud of the progress we have made together," said Paul Shaver, President of CMRRA. "As we look ahead, this next chapter with SOCAN represents an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation, drive innovation, deepen our service to music publishers and self-published songwriters, and contribute to a more integrated and effective rights administration ecosystem in Canada." Details of the transaction are confidential. About SOCAN For 100 years, SOCAN has been Canada's largest member-owned music rights organization, resolutely upholding the fundamental truth that music has value. SOCAN collects license fees for the public performance and reproduction of music, matches them to rights holders, and distributes them as royalties to music creators and publishers in Canada and around the world. With a century of expertise and innovation, SOCAN continues to advocate fair compensation for the work of its nearly 200,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Learn more at socan.com. About SoundExchange SoundExchange is the largest global neighboring rights organization in the world, redefining how creators in the music industry get paid. By turning data into fast, accurate revenue for artists and rights owners, SoundExchange has collected and distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 800,000 music creators. As the sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties from platforms including Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and thousands more, as well as international royalties through a global network of partners. Learn more at soundexchange.com. About CMRRA The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA) represents the vast majority of music publishers doing business in Canada, licensing reproduction rights and administering royalties for musical works. For more than 50 years, CMRRA has been at the forefront of the evolving music rights landscape, licensing dozens of digital services, including all major online music platforms operating in Canada. CMRRA licenses, collects, and distributes royalties for the majority of songs recorded, sold, and broadcast in Canada. Learn more at cmrra.ca. SOURCE SOCAN Published by News Desk · WeeklyReviewer The WeeklyReviewer news desk monitors breaking developments around the clock - sourcing, verifying, and publishing real-time industry news across business, technology, politics, science, sports, and world affairs. Every story that comes through the Live Wire is reviewed for accuracy before publication, keeping our readers ahead of the curve without the noise.

Industry vet, Michele Page joins SoundExchange. SoundExchange, the largest neighboring rights collective in the world, today announced the appointment of veteran entertainment industry lawyer Michele Page as General Counsel. In this role, Page will oversee the comprehensive legal functions of the organization, including regulatory issues, enforcement programs, rate proceedings, corporate governance, and compliance. Page will also serve as the chief legal advisor and joins the SoundExchange executive team, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Huppe. "Michele brings deep legal expertise, sound judgment, strategic acumen, and a strong understanding of the evolving music and technology landscape," said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. "As SoundExchange continues to grow and innovate in service of creators and our worldwide partners, Michele's leadership will be an invaluable asset for our team. We're thrilled to welcome her into this role." "I'm honored to join SoundExchange at such an important moment for the music industry," said Michele Page. "SoundExchange plays a vital role in advocating for creators and rights owners, and I'm excited to be part of an organization with such a strong mission and impact. I look forward to working with this talented team to help advance its efforts on behalf of the music community." Page was most recently Vice President Legal at Peloton Interactive, where she led a cross-functional team, partnering with business leaders across music, content strategy, copyright and royalties, rights management, and more. Prior to Peloton, Page served as General Counsel, Media at Nielsen, leading licensing, litigations, settlements, and consent decree compliance as a member of the executive team. She was also a Board Member of NCSolutions, a Nielsen-Catalina joint venture later acquired by Circana. Her career also includes legal roles with Vevo, EMI Music Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment, and the law firm Pryor Cashman LLP. Page earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. SoundExchange is the largest global neighboring rights organization in the world, redefining how creators in the music industry get paid. "By turning data into fast, accurate revenue for artists and rights owners, we have collected and distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties to date on behalf of more than 800,000 music creators." As the sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange seamlessly collects and distributes digital performance royalties from platforms like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and thousands more, as well as all available international performance royalties through a strong global partnership network.