Information

March 28, 2018
Japanese Society for Rights of Authors,
Composers and Publishers
(JASRAC)

Commencement of Licensing of Performances etc. at Musical Instrument Classes from April 1, 2018

JASRAC has started to license performances etc. at musical instrument classes from April 1, 2018, based on the arbitration by the Commissioner for Agency for Culture Affairs.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation to protect creators’ rights and the future of music culture.

[History]
On June 7, 2017, JASRAC reported the Tariff on performances, etc. at musical instrument classes to the Commissioner for the Agency for Culture Affairs, and was planning to start licensing from January 1, 2018. However, on December 21, 2017, “Group to Protect Music Education“ (hereinafter called “Group”) applied for arbitration with the Commissioner for the Agency for Culture Affairs based on Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights. The commencement of licensing was suspended in accordance with Paragraph 3 of the same Article.
The Group’s content of the application of arbitration was not about the content of the tariff but was requesting the suspension of the administration of the tariff until the judgement of the “Lawsuit for a Confirmation of the Absence of Right to Claim”, which was filed with the Tokyo District Court, is finalized.
On March 7, 2018, the Commissioner for the Agency for Culture Affairs adjudged that the tariff take effect on the same day, with the suspension of the Tariff, as requested by the Group, not taking effect. Hence, considering the time period necessary for informing musical instrument operators, JASRAC has decided to commence its licensing from April 1, 2018.

[Applied Tariff]
The applied tariff will be [Performances etc. at musical instrument classes] stipulated in the tariff. Users can choose from yearly fee, monthly fee, or per-work fee as the same way as other usage areas.

[Scope of license]
Musical instrument classes which musical instrument makers and stores operate shall obtain license. Individual classes does not require license until the level of administration of instrument classes reaches a certain level. The target of administration for individual classes in the future is supposed to be classes where it constantly recruits unspecified number of students by widely announcing and advertising on websites, etc.

END