The music universe is one place where a lot of drama plays out sporadically. and this is not even limited to the South African music industry. Around the world, the reality is the same.
Well, it is a new season of drama down here in the Rainbow Nation, as the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) has just laid criminal charges against La Parada, Tiger’s Milk and Old Town Italy.
The charges are hinged on the restaurants’ failure to pay royalties. SAMPRA released a statement on its official website regarding the charges against the restaurants.
The body accused the restaurants of playing artists’ work in such a way that violates their copyright. Thus they have been slammed with criminal charges to have them pay up for the unauthorised use of artists’s songs.
This isn’t the first time that an organization has been slapped with such charges, and it is doubtful it will be the last, as organizations seemingly overlook the realities of copyright law in the country.
Interestingly, Wendy Alberts, CEO of the Restaurant Association of South Africa, pointed out that obtaining licences to play music at restaurants is pretty costly.
Apparently, that’s why restaurants just play the music anyway.
