Karaoke Forums

Hi - I've just opened a karaoke bar in Bangkok, Thailand, but I need some advice about paying royalty fees for songs that we play.

It's not really a problem for the Thai language songs because we have to contact each record company and make the appropriate payment.  The real problem is for the English and Japanese songs that we play.

I have no idea if we need to pay royalty on these songs and, if so, to whom we make payment.  There is no organisation in Thailand that looks after this subject and it's down to each singer/record company to chase the karaoke bars for money (and there are big fines if you don't pay the royalties..).  I want to stay legal but cannot even start to think how I pay for these 'foreign' language songs!

Any advice much appreciated

Simon

Contact an entertainment lawyer in Bangkok.  He will be well versed on the laws pertaining to entertainment issues in your country.  Each country has different requirements.  What we tell you here may not apply to your country.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

In Malaysia we have an organization (representing all music pubisling companies operating in Malaysia) that issue licence to karaoke club. The royalty fee paid depend on the sitting capacity of the club and the minimum is RM2000/year
( US$1=RM3.

There are 3 or 4 other licences and permits that is needed to stay lagal.

Just a question; how many local music companies do you have to deel with and how do you set the rate?

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott