Songs aired on TV and Radio - Cabinet nod for royalty to singers & song writers

The Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to make it mandatory for all TV, Radio and FM stations to pay royalties to singers and musicians and other artistes involved in creating songs and musical programmes every time they are aired.

Royalties will be paid to living artistes and next of kin of those who are no more under the Intellectual Property Amendment) Act of 2018.

“Where a Broadcasting Organization broadcasts a song or any substantial part thereof, such an Organization shall make the minimum payment of Rs.3.00 to the lyricist, musician and singer of the song subject to the provisions of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003,” the Act says.

However, Rs.3.00 is not sufficient today, as such the Cabinet has decided to introduce an amendment to the Intellectual Properties Act to enhance the royalties and get the parliamentary approval in three months.

"We expect to put an end to the misuse of songs played over the radio stations by enacting this law," a spokesman of the Science, technology and Research Ministry said.

The proposal was submitted by President Maithripala Sirisena. (Sandun A Jayasekera)