MACP ‘not out to get musicians performing covers online’

entertainment@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Local musicians performing covers before an online audience are not being chased down and forced to pay copyright fees, says Music Authors’ Copyright Protection (MACP) Bhd.

MACP acting general manager Justin Johari said the organisation was not on a witch hunt.

“We know times are hard now, especially for individuals. We are not tracking people down. We don’t have the time and resources to do that,” Justin said.

On June 18, a list outlining the copyright charges one must pay to MACP if music is used during an online event or performance made its rounds on social media.

Singers and musicians – some who were barely making ends meet performing covers at cafes and weddings before the movement control order (MCO) – were unhappy that they were subjected to copyright fees when they took their performances online.

However, Justin explained that the list of copyright charges circulating on social media applied mostly to companies.

He gave an example of a company that wanted to launch its product through an online event.

“If music is played during the event, MACP will have to charge them because it is a public performance and there is a commercial element there,” he said.

Justin also said MACP was open to negotiating rates as he knew many companies had fallen on hard times due to the pandemic.

“We are always open to discussing the charges. It is subject to discounts. We are open to hearing a company’s grievances on a case-tocase basis and therefore, structure a pricing that is fair for both parties,” he added.

MACP is a non-profit organisation that makes sure composers, lyricists and publishers are paid when their works are broadcast and publicly performed.

Ringo Wang, 62, who performs at weddings and small-scale events in Melaka, said he was taken aback by the list that was circulating online.

“We’re probably going to lose a year’s worth of income because of Covid-19. I thought of performing on Facebook just for fun initially.

“Then someone suggested I included my (e-wallet) details in case other people want to contribute some money,” Wang said.

Wang, who moonlights as a handyman, said he earned very little from the online performances.

“Sometimes, I get RM20; at times, nothing. The most I got was RM200,” he said.