Japan's top court exempts music school students' play from copyright fees

TOKYO, Oct 25 (NHK) - Japan's Supreme Court has ruled that performances by music school students are not subject to copyright payments, while copyright holders may charge for musical works used by teachers in music classes.

This is the first finalized court ruling in Japan regarding copyright fees in music schools.

In 2017, about 250 music school operators filed a lawsuit against the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers, or JASRAC.

The operators opposed JASRAC's decision to charge music schools copyright fees for music pieces played in lessons.

Last year, the high court ruled that copyright fees may be collected for music used by teachers but not by students.

On Monday, presiding justice Miyama Takuya of the top court said the objective of students' performances is to enhance their skills.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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