TF Archives

Fees Rise for Dance Music

Author: TranZfusion
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Revellers and club goers are facing the prospect of a quiet night in following a decision handed down by the Copyright Tribunal of Australia. In the first case of its kind, the Tribunal has lifted rates that could see dance music organisers paying as much as $3.05 per person.

The Tribunal has approved an application by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) for an increase in music licence fees paid to artists and record labels by 'nightclub venues and commercially organised dance parties'.

While the decision will increase revenues for Australian recording artists, the move will create vulnerability within the thriving nightclub scene that will inevitably see the punter cover the new charges.

PPCA's Chief Executive Stephen Peach believes the decision "was a pleasing step forward" and endorsed the argument that recording artists and labels deserved a fairer return, justifying the decision by suggesting that it's "...a modest increase when considering nightclub operators typically charge $10.00 per person for admission, $5.00 for a drink, $2.80 for a bottle of water and $2.00 to hang up a coat".

In other news, festival ticket prices jumped 400 per cent in light of the new decision.
Tags