IPNation is backed by Influence, a firm with ties to BlackRock, and will focus on catalogues, compositions, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
IPNation is co-founded by Eddy Maroun, co-founder of the music streaming service Anghami, who serves as chief innovation officer, and Jose Maria Dot, a former executive at FTI and Multiply Group, who is the chief executive officer.
Investment Strategy#
The firm intends to pursue between 10 and 20 transactions, paying $2 million to $10 million per deal. It will target mature catalogues with stabilised royalty streams, according to its public materials.
“Arabic music and entertainment IP represent one of the most undervalued cultural asset classes globally today,” Dot said. “IPNation was created to institutionalize investment into iconic and predictable income-generating IP while generating upside through our IPNation Value Creation Playbook, bringing our music to larger audiences efficiently.”
The broader music rights market has seen a mix of small acquisitions and blockbuster deals, with well-capitalised buyers actively pursuing both. IPNation’s strategy is to concentrate on a specific segment of that market.
UAE Rights Infrastructure#
The launch coincides with the strengthening of rights management frameworks in the region. In February, the Emirates Arts & Music Rights Association (EMRA), the UAE’s first collective management organisation, signed what it described as a landmark agreement with France’s SACEM. In July, EMRA appointed Hani Masgidi, formerly vice president of business development at Qanawat, as its association director. The UAE also recently unveiled new public performance licensing fees, with collections expected to begin in December under EMRA’s oversight.
Wider Regional Activity#
IPNation is not the only entity making long-term bets on Middle Eastern music IP. PopArabia, which is partnered with Reservoir Media, has been pursuing strategic acquisitions across the MENA region for some time. Additionally, the talent-discovery partnership between Sony Music and Saudi Arabia’s LuxuryKSA, announced 14 months ago, is now fully operational.
