"Gyms Paying Copyright Fees at Half the Overall Level"... HanEumJeoHyeop to Initiate System Improvement

Promotion of Copyright Awareness Improvement Activities
"Many Business Owners Unaware of Copyright Fee Payment Obligations"

The Korea Music Copyright Association (Chairman Chuga Yeol) is preparing a win-win plan to resolve copyright fee disputes with the fitness center industry.

Korea Music Copyright Association [Photo by Korea Music Copyright Association]

On the 2nd, the Korea Music Copyright Association announced that it plans to prepare institutional improvement measures to resolve copyright disputes and complaints with the fitness center industry, which has been in conflict over the payment of copyright fees.

According to the Enforcement Decree of the Copyright Act revised in 2018, when copyrighted music is used in cafes and fitness centers, copyright fees must be paid to the Korea Music Copyright Association. The association collects copyright fees in accordance with regulations approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism based on this decree. Additionally, the relevant regulations and music lists are disclosed on the association’s website.

However, among the approximately 15,500 registered fitness centers nationwide, only about 7,800 have paid copyright fees at least once, which is just over half. As a result, legal disputes related to copyright infringement between fitness center owners and the Korea Music Copyright Association continue unabated.

The association explained, "Even though six years have passed since the revision of the enforcement decree, many fitness center owners still do not properly recognize their obligation to pay copyright fees," adding, "There are many cases of unauthorized use of music without prior notification, leading to a continuous increase in legal disputes and complaints related to copyright infringement."

Accordingly, the Korea Music Copyright Association is discussing institutional improvement measures with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and fitness center owners to alleviate the difficulties caused by violations of the Copyright Act.

Furthermore, it plans to immediately halt legal actions such as lawsuits and instead prioritize active promotional activities to improve copyright awareness.

Chairman Chuga Yeol said, "Recently, I personally visited 11 centers nationwide responsible for collecting fitness center music copyright fees to listen to on-site complaints arising at the venues," adding, "Since creating an environment where copyright holders and users can coexist is of utmost importance, the association will continue to communicate with fitness center owners and seek a path of coexistence together to establish a proper copyright fee collection and distribution system."