Rights protection in focus as ERRA takes part in Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah: The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) is reinforcing its commitment to protecting intellectual property and fostering a culture of rights awareness through its participation in the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which runs from November 5 to 16.
Through its dedicated booth, ERRA is showcasing its pioneering role in safeguarding the rights of authors and publishers, while underscoring the importance of reprographic rights as a key driver of the creative economy. The Association is also inviting authors and publishers to join its membership and benefit from its wide range of rights management services.
Majd Al Shehhi, Director of ERRA, said the Association’s participation in SIBF reflects its continuous efforts to enhance awareness about reprographic rights and strengthen respect for intellectual property within the cultural and creative sectors.
“The Book Fair represents a strategic platform to engage with publishers, creators, and readers, exchange expertise, and discuss challenges,” Al Shehhi said. “It is also an opportunity to highlight the latest initiatives that support authors and publishers and ensure the sustainability of their work. We hope this participation will inspire comprehensive and robust partnerships that sustainably serve the cultural community.”
As part of its participation, ERRA is organising a series of events aimed at raising awareness about rights management mechanisms and the protection of works in digital and educational contexts.
Among the highlights is a specialised workshop titled “Authors’ Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – From Challenges to Solutions.” The session will explore the growing impact of AI on authors’ rights and intellectual property, focusing on how modern laws and technological tools can balance innovation with the protection of creative output.
Another key event, a dialogue session titled “Transformations in Rights Protection – From Traditional Publishing to the Digital Environment,” will address the major shifts in the publishing landscape. It will examine how collective management organisations are adapting to technological advancements to ensure fair compensation for creators and the sustainability of the creative economy.
Through these initiatives, ERRA seeks to strengthen collaboration with authors, publishers, and cultural institutions, contributing to the development of a dynamic cultural ecosystem that values creators’ rights and supports the growth of the publishing industry in the UAE and the wider region.