Culinary MSMEs Need Certainty, Not A Copyright Threat

JAKARTA - The Expert Council of the National Solidarity Movement (GSN) for Tourism and Creative Economy, Taufan Rahmadi, highlighted the attitude of the DPR leadership who asked the Ministry of Law (Kemenkum) not to make copyright rules that make it difficult for business actors. Taufan assessed that the DPR's firm stance is a form of protection for SMEs and MSMEs.

According to Taufan, policies related to copyright must consider the real conditions of creative industry players, including culinary MSME players such as restaurants, cafes, and restaurants, which have been the backbone of the national creative economy.

"What was conveyed by the leadership of the DPR, Mr. Sufmi Dasco, I agree. We hope that the Ministry of Law and Human Rights does not make copyright rules that make it difficult for industry players, especially the music sector and creative businesses. Like restaurants, then cafes, restaurants, that's it. So we agreed to that," said Taufan Rahmadi in Jakarta, Thursday, August 7th.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that the DPR had asked the government not to make the rules difficult. Dasco said that the ease of copyright matters is needed while waiting for the revision of the Copyright Law in the DPR.

Taufan also agreed with the DPR's firm stance. Despite supporting the protection of intellectual property rights, he emphasized the importance of regulations that do not cause confusion or fear among business actors.

"We certainly also support the protection of copyright. It is also an award for the work of the musicians who created the song," he said.

"But, as we all know, when in practice it is implemented, what happens in the field is a polemic like today. So it creates confusion, even the end is fear among business actors, especially MSMEs which are the backbone of our creative economy," continued Taufan.

Therefore, Taufan encouraged the formulation of the rules to be carried out in a fair and transparent manner, and to be able to be a joint solution between copyright owners and business actors.

"So, what we need, that's it. What is needed now is a rule that, don't confuse. Don't be afraid. But here is a win-win solution. The fair, transparent, and easy to implement," he said.

"The good intention to protect the songwriter is okay. But don't harm business actors whose intention is only to create an atmosphere, which is comfortable for customers," added Taufan.

Furthermore, Taufan is grateful that the DPR cares about this issue. Because this issue has an impact on more than 30 million people who depend on the creative economy sector. He hopes that there will be a common ground in the regulations so as not to extend the existing polemics.

"I believe that the leaders in the DPR RI are concerned about this. Well, we all know that talking about the creative economy is talking about almost 30 million Indonesians who depend on this sector," he explained.

With the DPR's encouragement, Taufan also hopes that the government through the relevant ministries can find the best solution.

"I hope that this issue will not be prolonged, a meeting point has been reached in the regulations. So that both restaurant entrepreneurs, cafes, restaurants, and copyright owners related to the song can both benefit each other and there will be no polemics like today," concluded Taufan.

Previously, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that the DPR had asked the Government not to make rules difficult regarding song royalties. He also ensured that the revision of the Copyright Law was being processed in the DPR.

"The DPR RI is also observing the music world, which has recently had dynamics, and we have asked the Ministry of Law which then also oversees LMK-LMK (Collective Manjament Institution) and then makes rules that are not difficult," said Dasco.