ERRA And American University Of Sharjah Sign Licensing Agreement To Enhance Copyright Protection In Education

The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) has entered into a licensing agreement with the American University of Sharjah (AUS). This makes AUS the second university in the UAE to secure such a licence, and notably, the first government-affiliated academic institution to implement a comprehensive model for safeguarding authors' rights and copyright in educational contexts. The signing occurred during ERRA's participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025.

This agreement is part of ERRA’s ongoing mission to foster a sustainable academic environment that promotes organised and responsible use of knowledge resources. It ensures fair royalty distribution to authors and publishers within the UAE and globally, aligning with international best practices in education and research.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at AUS, as well as honorary chairperson of ERRA, remarked on the significance of this agreement. "Signing this agreement represents an important step in fostering an academic culture that respects creativity and promotes proper knowledge-sharing practices. At AUS, we believe copyright protection is not only a legal duty but also a responsibility to support research, intellectual output, and the development of the publishing sector."

She further commended ERRA's expanding role in regulating fair use of intellectual works and safeguarding creators' rights. "Granting this licence reinforces the university’s position as a leading educational institution and sets a benchmark for the academic sector nationally and regionally," she added.

Dr Todd Larsen, Director of AUS, highlighted how this agreement benefits the university: "Through this agreement with ERRA, the university can provide educational materials on campus and online with confidence and clarity. It enables copying and access for authorised users in our community, requires robust controls for digital course materials, and respects any exceptions defined by the association. Our commitment is simple: to empower faculty and students to access the resources they need for learning while prioritising creators’ rights and setting a model for responsible knowledge use."

The partnership was formalised at ERRA’s pavilion during the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair. Representatives from both parties attended alongside cultural figures, publishers, and media personnel.

Strengthening Copyright Awareness

Mohammed bin Dkhein, Chairman of ERRA, expressed pride in collaborating with AUS: "This collaboration represents a significant step in supporting the UAE’s creative ecosystem and reflects AUS’s commitment to a conscious and fair model for knowledge reuse." He stressed that copyright protection is more than just a legal obligation; it is essential for nurturing a culture that values creativity and honours innovators.

"Through this agreement," he continued, "we aim to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions to establish copyright awareness as a foundation for advancing education and scientific output."

This collaboration is part of broader efforts by ERRA to create an equitable knowledge system. It aims to raise societal awareness about protecting creators' rights while supporting the national creative economy.

With inputs from WAM