ERRA Strengthens Global Leadership With UAE’s First Blanket Reprographic Rights Licensing Agreement With Heriot-Watt University

The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) has entered into a landmark agreement with Heriot-Watt University Dubai. This marks the UAE's first comprehensive reprographic rights licensing deal. This initiative is a significant step in regulating intellectual property use within academic settings.

ERRA's journey has been marked by strategic growth since its inception. In under three years, it has forged six key agreements with organisations in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Additionally, ERRA collaborates with India and holds membership in the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO). It also has Observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

These affiliations underscore ERRA's global influence in shaping intellectual property policies. They highlight international confidence in ERRA's ability to regulate intellectual works and protect authors' rights according to global standards. The licence granted to Heriot-Watt University Dubai allows structured access to a wide range of books and academic resources under reprographic rights.

This agreement strengthens the university’s commitment to respecting authors' and creators' rights. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Honorary President of ERRA, praised this achievement as a milestone reflecting a clear vision for protecting authors’ rights in the UAE.

Sheikha Bodour highlighted this as a model for collaboration between educational institutions and intellectual property stakeholders. "We take great pride in the strategic strides made by ERRA towards strengthening the legislative and cultural infrastructure for reprographic rights protection," she stated.

Anita Huss, Secretary General and CEO of IFRRO, commended ERRA's progress. "We are pleased to see ERRA making steady progress in the effective implementation of collective rights management principles," she noted. The agreement is seen as a commendable achievement among emerging RROs globally.

Commitment to Intellectual Property Respect

Mohamed Bin Dakhen, President of ERRA’s Board, remarked on this significant operational phase following institutional development. He emphasised embedding respect for intellectual property within education and building a fair knowledge ecosystem that honours creators’ efforts.

Anas Abu Ghoush from Heriot-Watt University Dubai expressed pride in being the first UAE institution to adopt this advanced model. "Our partnership with ERRA is a strategic step that enhances the quality of academic content we offer our students," he said.

This agreement aims to inspire more educational institutions to adopt similar approaches, fostering an environment that values creative contributions. It also seeks to establish broader partnerships across UAE universities, ensuring safe access to knowledge resources while contributing to the creative economy's growth.

With inputs from WAM