She will be based in Abu Dhabi and report to Chief Executive Officer Amer M. Samhoun.
Music Nation Copyrights Management (MusicNation), the UAE’s collective rights management organisation, has appointed intellectual property attorney Aisha Y. Salem-Howey as its General Counsel, strengthening the company’s senior music and business leadership team.
In this newly established position, Salem-Howey will guide MusicNation’s legal, regulatory and governance efforts as the organisation continues to build the UAE’s first fully integrated rights management infrastructure for music creators and rights holders. Based in Abu Dhabi, she will report directly to CEO Amer M. Samhoun and play a key role in advancing the company’s international outreach.
Salem-Howey is widely regarded for her expertise in intellectual property law. She most recently served as the US Patent and Trademark Office’s IP Attaché for the Middle East and North Africa, stationed at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where she worked with governments and private-sector partners to bolster regional IP enforcement and protection.
Samhoun said: “Aisha brings an unparalleled combination of international IP expertise and passion for music. Her leadership will be essential as we continue to strengthen the legal foundation that ensures rights holders are fairly compensated and protected across the Emirates and beyond.”
Salem-Howey added: “After working on music rights and collective management policy on the government side, I’m thrilled to join MusicNation’s leadership team and put my experience to work for creators. What MusicNation is building is truly groundbreaking – establishing the UAE’s first comprehensive rights management infrastructure is both innovative and essential for the region’s creative economy. I’m excited to join such a passionate team that’s deeply committed to transparency, efficiency, and ensuring creators are properly valued. This work isn’t just about fair compensation, it’s about shaping a sustainable future for music across the region.”
Before her diplomatic role, Salem-Howey served as a Trademark Examining Attorney at the US Patent and Trademark Office and worked with organisations including the International Intellectual Property Alliance, the US Copyright Office’s Office of the General Counsel, the Florida law firm Allen, Dyer, P.A., and NBCUniversal’s Business and Legal Affairs Department.
She holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from The George Washington University Law School, a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and a B.A. in Performing Arts Management from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Alongside her legal credentials, she is also a trained professional cellist.
