Ikang Fawzi Highlights The Rate Of Royalty Tariffs Implemented For Cafes And Restaurants

Ikang Fawzi (Instagram @rocklegends.indonesia)

JAKARTA - Ikang Fawzi is one of the singers who has highlighted the copyright polemic or music royalties which have recently been in the spotlight in the Indonesian music industry. Moreover, the polemic has spread to cafe and restaurant businesses.

As is known, cafe and restaurant owners are haunted by fear after the Mie Gacoan case in Bali emerged which was reported to the police for not paying music royalties.

The case itself was completed after mediation, with Mie Gacoan paying royalties of IDR 2.2 billion.

Responding to the fear of cafe and restaurant owners, Ikang said that it was only natural that the use of songs was balanced with royalty payments. However, the main problem seen by the 65-year-old singer was the absence of adjustments between the royalty rate and the business scale that had to pay for it.

"That copyright has value. That's clear. That the value is translated at a tariff (royalti). That's clear. In any country like that, especially countries that are already advanced," said Ikang to the media crew.

"We just pay people to go to the toilet, let alone (use) people's creations. However, this tariff must be adjusted. It's different, if MSMEs may not, if they are already big, yes (paid) that much. Yes, there must be awareness together to support it. So, respect each other, not just, "he added.

According to Ikang, the classification to determine cafes and restaurants that must pay music royalties must be made clearer. He also felt that the royalty rate should be more dynamic.

"That number can still change, I think. What kind of cafe do we adjust. What kind of consumer, middle and upper class are right. But if MSMEs are not, "said Ikang.

"It's useless for us to force (MSMEs), there's no money. Right? You can't get anything, just make a fuss. Why? We'd better finish it and run it according to the target. Don't make a fuss," he added.

Furthermore, the singer who is known for the song 'Preman' also highlighted the performance of the National Collective Management Institute (LMKN) which is tasked with collecting royalties which is still difficult to gain trust from the public, especially cafe and restaurant entrepreneurs and songwriters.

"And all of this is actually the estuary at LMKN. If he is ready, he is digitized, already professional, can provide reports transparently, and also provide good communication to various parties, people who have an obligation to pay, musicians, and so on. It will not happen like this, "said Ikang Fawzi.