Sharjah: The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) has signed a landmark licensing agreement with the American University of Sharjah (AUS), making it the second university in the UAE to secure such a licence and the first government-affiliated academic institution to adopt a comprehensive model for protecting authors’ rights in educational environments.
The agreement was formalized during ERRA’s participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025. The new partnership supports ERRA’s mission to build a sustainable academic ecosystem grounded in responsible use of knowledge resources.
It also ensures fair royalty distribution to authors and publishers locally and internationally, in alignment with global standards for education and research.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at AUS and honorary chairperson of ERRA, highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that it marks a vital step towards cultivating an academic culture that respects creativity and ethical content usage. Al Qasimi stressed that copyright protection is a shared responsibility that advances research, intellectual output, and the development of the publishing sector.
Al Qasimi also commended ERRA’s expanding role in regulating fair use and safeguarding creators’ rights, adding that the licence strengthens AUS’s position as a leading educational institution and sets a national and regional benchmark for academic excellence.
Mohammed bin Dkhein, Chairman of ERRA, expressed pride in the collaboration, describing it as a meaningful stride in supporting the UAE’s creative ecosystem. Mohammed bin Dkhein said the agreement reflects AUS’s commitment to a conscious and equitable model for knowledge reuse and reinforces the importance of copyright as the foundation for fostering innovation.
Dr. Todd Larsen, Director of AUS, noted that the agreement allows the university to provide educational materials both on campus and online with clarity and confidence. Todd Larsen added that it ensures controlled access to digital course materials, supports authorised users, and reinforces the institution’s dedication to empowering its academic community while upholding the rights of creators.
The signing ceremony took place at ERRA’s pavilion at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair, attended by officials from both entities, cultural leaders, publishers, and media representatives.
This collaboration is one of several strategic partnerships through which ERRA aims to build a fair and responsible knowledge system, enhance societal awareness, safeguard creators’ rights, and contribute to the growth of the national creative economy.
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