The UAE’s media scene is a vibrant ecosystem, constantly adapting to the latest trends. While streaming services dominate music and movies, a thriving niche market exists within the reproduction of recorded media.

While streaming dominates casual listening, there’s a growing appreciation for physical media, and the demand for the reproduction of recorded media goes beyond music lovers. It serves a diverse clientele: musicians needing high-quality CDs and vinyl, businesses requiring physical copies for training or software, event organisers for merchandise and promotion, and even libraries and museums for archiving historical content in digital formats.

As an entrepreneur in the UAE, you can tailor your reproduction of recorded media business to a specific niche by understanding the specific needs of these diverse clients. Read on to learn about the different activities you can choose under your business license from SPC Free Zone.

1820.00 – Reproduction of recorded media

For an entrepreneur who is looking for an activity that doesn’t cover just one niche of media reproduction, this might just be the one you’ve been looking for. From discs and tapes to sound recordings, this enables your business to conduct a large number of activities.

Note that under this category, businesses cannot engage in the reproduction of printed media, publishing of software, production and distribution of motion pictures, video tapes and movies on DVD or similar media, reproduction of motion picture film for theatrical distribution, and production of master copies for records or audio material.

• Third-party Approval: Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth – Media Regulatory Office (MRO) is required for this business activity, post obtaining your trade license.
• Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1820.00 is exempt from this requirement
• Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1820.00 is exempt from this requirement

1820.01 – Reproduction from master copies of gramophone records, compact discs and tapes with music or other sound recordings

This business activity refers to the process of creating copies of music or other sound recordings from the original master recordings. These master recordings are the highest quality versions, typically created in studios under controlled conditions. 

For gramophone records or vinyls, compact disks or CDs, and cassette tapes, each reproduction consists of several detailed steps. From metal stamps for vinyls and special machines to cut glass for CDs, each process is intricate and interesting. In all these cases, the goal is to create copies that are as faithful as possible to the original master recording.

Remember that within this classification, businesses are prohibited from engaging in the reproduction of printed media, publishing software, producing and distributing motion pictures, video tapes, DVDs, or similar media formats, reproducing motion picture film for theatrical distribution, and creating master copies for records or audio materials.

• Third-party Approval: Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth – Media Regulatory Office (MRO) is required for this business activity, post obtaining your trade license.
• Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1820.01 is exempt from this requirement
• Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1820.01 is exempt from this requirement

1820.02  Reproduction from master copies of records, compact discs and tapes with motion pictures and other video recordings

Reproducing motion pictures and other video recordings from master copies involves similar principles to sound recordings, but with the added complexity of handling visual information as well. For tapes with motion pictures, the master film negative is used to create an interpositive, which can lead to the creation of multiple positive prints. 

For CDs, the master video recording is first converted into a digital format, followed by the creation of a glass mastering disc and lasers to interpret digital video and audio information. In this manner, video formats can use compression to fit large amounts of data onto a compact disc or tape.

Note that under this category, businesses cannot conduct the reproduction of printed media, publishing of software, production and distribution of motion pictures, video tapes and movies on DVD or similar media, reproduction of motion picture film for theatrical distribution, and production of master copies for records or audio material.

• Third-party Approval: Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth – Media Regulatory Office (MRO) is required for this business activity, post obtaining your trade license.
• Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1820.02 is exempt from this requirement
• Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1820.02 is exempt from this requirement

1820.03  Reproduction from master copies of software and data on discs and tapes

This involves creating exact duplicates of the original information when it comes to software and data. A copying machine specifically designed for the type of media is used. An entrepreneur working in this industry must be aware of technical specifications, formatting, copy protection, and verification steps to ensure the quality of their work is top-notch. 

Remember that within this classification, businesses are prohibited from engaging in the reproduction of printed media, publishing software, producing and distributing motion pictures, video tapes, DVDs, or similar media formats, reproducing motion picture film for theatrical distribution, and creating master copies for records or audio materials.

• Third-party Approval: Business activity 1811.03 is exempt from this requirement
• Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1811.03 is exempt from this requirement
• Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1811.03 is exempt from this requirement

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