Music Licence

[mrtoad]

Had the pleasure fo seeing "officials" trying to obtain monies out of a couple of places last night. They had apparently confiscated a number of IPODS, Laptops and took 25,000 from several bars the previous evening. They had no uniform, were dressed in shellsuits / jeans and general scruffy clothing, and driving around in a pick up. Their attitude was rude and aggressive, and not to keen on having their photo taken. Only one person had an ID, which looked suss, the others looked like a bunch of chancers. If it is a scam, which it smelt like - they are probably making some good money on this one. The owner of the place that I was in challenged them about the legitimacy, and they drove off and didn't pursue it.

Now, the real questions that I have are, what is the actual law about playing recorded music on an IPOD in a bar/ restaurant? I've heard various versions, and I've heard a number of stories about this. One is that it is only required for Thai music? Which department overseas this? And how do people obtain this "license"?

Before anyone asks, no I don't own a bar / restaurant - I just happened to wittiness this last night, and I had heard about it in the past.

[Rimmer]

Some of your questions might be answered in this topic from Pattaya HERE

[mrtoad]

Thanks for that link, it seems that it is indeed a well practiced scam - with BIB approval. Highly likely, that it is the same bunch of people, who are moving around. Anyway, they are on Koh Chang at present, and are busy undertaking this scam.

[VocalNeal]

In BKK "every" bar used to pay monthly to "The performing rights association of Thailand" for the right to play copyrighted canned music. They had a sticker on the door or front window of the bar.

The monies were then supposed to , just like they do in the west, be given to the artists. Yeah Right!

I thought this was a brilliant scam. You can here the conversation?

"My son needs a job with regular income. Will you grant him authority to collect money on behalf of musicians from bars that play copyrighted recorded music"

Don't know if they still do it?

Before anyone asks, no I no longer own a bar / restaurant - I just happened to wittiness this in the past.

[mrtoad]

From what I have read ont he other post, and also from what I have further heard - this seems to have BIB connections, although from out of area. These chancers, though will certainly scare a few people into coughing up.

[HeijoshinCool]

Thanks for that link, it seems that it is indeed a well practiced scam - with BIB approval. Highly likely, that it is the same bunch of people, who are moving around. Anyway, they are on Koh Chang at present, and are busy undertaking this scam.

Koh Chang is notorious for this. One of the reasons, among many, I moved on. Usually they only get to hit a handful of places before the word spreads like lightning, and everyone shuts off all music, licenses or not, because having one doesn't necessarily mean a damned thing.

[mrtoad]

Thanks for that link, it seems that it is indeed a well practiced scam - with BIB approval. Highly likely, that it is the same bunch of people, who are moving around. Anyway, they are on Koh Chang at present, and are busy undertaking this scam.

Koh Chang is notorious for this. One of the reasons, among many, I moved on. Usually they only get to hit a handful of places before the word spreads like lightning, and everyone shuts off all music, licenses or not, because having one doesn't necessarily mean a damned thing.

I don't think Koh Chang is that notorious, have lived on the island for three years. I certainly don't think the island has the same amount of scams as other places around Thailand, and all in all is a quiet and friendly place. You are right on one thing, the word has spread like lightening. No doubt they will try for a few more days before heading back to the mainland - they were certainly not locals.

[HeijoshinCool]

Thanks for that link, it seems that it is indeed a well practiced scam - with BIB approval. Highly likely, that it is the same bunch of people, who are moving around. Anyway, they are on Koh Chang at present, and are busy undertaking this scam.

Koh Chang is notorious for this. One of the reasons, among many, I moved on. Usually they only get to hit a handful of places before the word spreads like lightning, and everyone shuts off all music, licenses or not, because having one doesn't necessarily mean a damned thing.

I don't think Koh Chang is that notorious, have lived on the island for three years. I certainly don't think the island has the same amount of scams as other places around Thailand, and all in all is a quiet and friendly place. You are right on one thing, the word has spread like lightening. No doubt they will try for a few more days before heading back to the mainland - they were certainly not locals.

Lived there from 07 to 2010. I know of at least a dozen businesses that folded, westerners went home, because of the "music license." One guy was beaten to death.

German fella spent a lot of money opening up a pizza place. The neighboring restaurant lost significant business. Why? Because they depended on tourists. Yet, the food sucked, the staff were non-attentive, the owners flat out rude. When the pizzas started selling like mad, because of good service, great food, and cheap prices, the "neighbors" called the cops time and time again. Won't print the name of the cop but he has bunglalows in Klong Prao named after him.

Anyway, 50,000 in fines over two months puts a damper on the income when you have a newborn. They moved off Koh Chang.

I love Koh Chang. Visit as often as I can. It's not as scammy there as say, Phukett, but you can easily be put out of business there if someone wills it.

[mrtoad]

Yeah, I can understand that and it's a good point. These scammers re a disgrace, as for the BIB, yeah I think I know w ho you mean.

[HeijoshinCool]

Yeah, I can understand that and it's a good point. These scammers re a disgrace, as for the BIB, yeah I think I know w ho you mean.

Oddly , he left me alone the entire time I ran my business there. The tattered t-shirts and rageddy pants must have done the trick. He even ate a my place a few times. Nary a word.

[kevvy]

the restaurant was lucky they moved on , usually the scammers call the police and they are on the scam as well... it happened to my best friend

[mrtoad]

the restaurant was lucky they moved on , usually the scammers call the police and they are on the scam as well... it happened to my best friend

Yeah, they are in on it, but the local BIB know the owner very well, so I don't think they wanted the hassle of it. There are plenty of other places they can pull this stunt.

[brewsterbudgen]

If they are scammers it would be nice to see them dealt with accordingly. But businesses do need to appreciate that playing copyright music in a restaurant/bar does require some form of payment to the copyright holders, just as it does in most other countries.

[mrtoad]

If they are scammers it would be nice to see them dealt with accordingly. But businesses do need to appreciate that playing copyright music in a restaurant/bar does require some form of payment to the copyright holders, just as it does in most other countries.

The issue was never about copyright, and FYI the music being played was actually the owners own music. So that's a moot point. If , as you said it was done this way, you would have to have multiple payments to multiple music companies.

[brewsterbudgen]

If they are scammers it would be nice to see them dealt with accordingly. But businesses do need to appreciate that playing copyright music in a restaurant/bar does require some form of payment to the copyright holders, just as it does in most other countries.

The issue was never about copyright, and FYI the music being played was actually the owners own music. So that's a moot point. If , as you said it was done this way, you would have to have multiple payments to multiple music companies.

That's why there are collective licensing organisations like MCT (Music Copyright Thailand).

http://www.mct.in.th/web/mct/

Even if it was only the owner's copyright being played, a licence may still be required. In the UK PRS and PPL licences are required for any radio/TV/CD/digital playing equipment.