KTV Fees May Increase

The National Copyright Administration began collecting opinions yesterday on its plan to impose copyright fees on KTV operators.

The regulator intends to charge 12 yuan (US$1.50) per karaoke room per day subject to a month-long consultation with the industry.

Administration spokesman Wang Ziqiang said earlier that each region can adjust the fee according to the scale of its karaoke businesses.

The country is requiring KTV bars, shopping malls, hotels and other entertainment venues to pay copyright fees to music producers.

But most producers haven't received any income from the effort since the regulation hasn't been fully implemented.

The Ministry of Culture will also start a trial program that will connect KTV venues to a universal song and video database that will be developed to regulate the industry.

Meanwhile, one of Beijing's most popular karaoke bars has boosted prices up to 60 percent after China's copyright watchdog announced its proposed music video royalty fee.

Party World has raised the hourly fee of a two-person karaoke room from 59 yuan to 96 yuan, and the largest room with a capacity of 12 to 15 people from 359 yuan to 390 yuan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The move came despite a promise last month by the bar's owner, Taiwan-based Cash Box, that it would refrain from raising prices when the proposed royalty fees were announced.

The company runs a chain of more than 20 karaoke bars in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and other cities on the Chinese mainland.

A receptionist at a Shanghai Cash Box karaoke bar said its prices rose in July.

Other karaoke bars said they will hold off on deciding whether to follow suit until the royalty fee is decided. (By Winny Wang)

Source: Shanghai Daily

Editor: Helena Zhang