TOKYO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Japan's Fair Trade Commission has asked the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers to stop collecting usage fees, citing concerns that the organization is operating in violation of anti-monopoly restrictions.
JASRAC provides services to nearly 99% of the Japanese music industry and collects 1.5% of the revenue generated by broadcaster usage fees for copyrighted music. The fees those broadcasters pay when not using songs that JASRAC holds is higher, thus inducing broadcasters to feel compelled to participate with JASRAC and avoid non-JASRAC copyrighted music, UPI reported.
Sources close to the matter told UPI that the commission is expected to ask JASRAC to alter their regulations and fee structures to encourage a more competitive environment. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers