TSS_s067p210110.indd

E6-7
Liberal Studies
Personal Development & Interpersonal Relationships
Globalisation
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Energy Technology & the Environment
Modern China
Hong Kong Today
Public Health
Liberal Studies
■ Text: Jessica Fan
■ Photos: Sing Tao Daily
News
S
EVERAL music award presentation ceremonies are
normally held in January and they always attract strong
interest and high TV viewing figures because many singers
attend these events.
On January 1 this year, Commercial Radio hosted their annual
music awards ceremony and TVB broadcast it afterwards. Due to
copyright constraints, TVB cut out performances of singers belonging
to the four major local music companies in the SAR: EMI Group,
Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music. Some TV audiences
were furious about this arrangement and even set up Facebook
groups to air their discontent.
The struggle between TVB and the major labels could be traced
to the establishment of the Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance
Limited (HKRIA), which collects copyright fees for its members.
This article enables students to:
1. Assess phenomena, trends and impacts in relation to society and culture.
2. Appreciate the views and values of people from different social backgrounds.
music programmes than before, and
third is that the fee is for unlimited usage
of the music all year round.
Previously, music copyright issues between TVB and local labels
were handled by the International Federation of the Phonographic
Industry (IFPI). The four music companies used to belong to the IFPI,
but they left that organisation to form HKRIA so as to bargain for
higher fees with companies such as TVB.
Apart from charging copyright fees, HKRIA also collects licence
fees from karaoke boxes, bars, shopping malls and others who use it
for commercial purposes. They claim this is to protect music, and the
organisation said it would pass the money on to music producers and
singers.
Popular local singers Alex Fong and Stephy Tang belong to EMI
Group; Jason Chan and Ekin Cheung are under Sony Music; Kay Tse
and Eason Chan are signed to Universal Music; and Fiona Sit and
Kahli Fong belong to Warner Music.
Four major local music
companies formed HKRIA
and charged TVB higher
copyright fees. This sparked
Key ideas
off a clash between HKRIA
and TVB resulting in many pop singers being cut out of
TVB programmes. This has affected different parties, as
well as Hong Kong audiences.
Analysis
Impact on artists and music labels
Starting from 2010, HKRIA is charging TVB HK$2.9 million per
year, an increase in copyright fees compared to before.
THIS issue highlights the confusion of handling music
copyright issues in Hong Kong, and the problems created
by a TV station monopolising the local market.
According to HKRIA, there are three reasons for the increase. The
first reason is that the previous amount undervalued the music and
artists, the second is that TVB hosts more
Harmony
and
discord
Four major local music labels are in a bitter dispute with
Television Broadcast Limited (TVB), the TV station with the
largest audience share, over the copyright of their music
which has raised the public’s concern on copyright issues
and music programmes’ quality, writes Jessica Fan.
TVB has the highest audience rating in Hong Kong,
and its rival Asia Television Limited (ATV) has a
relatively smaller number of viewers.
That is why music companies go out of their way
to please TVB so they can secure air time for their
singers’ music videos and give them more opportunities
to perform on shows. This copyright conflict worsened
relations between the two parties, and so the station cut
out the labels’ singers from its music programmes. For the
TVB awards presentation on January 16, Eason Chan and
Kay Tse did not show up and did not receive any awards.
TVB’s decision greatly reduces the exposure of those
singers; the ones with new albums on the way or staging
concerts in early 2010 will be seriously hit. For example,
Hins Cheung will hold a concert in mid-February,
and he cannot promote his songs on TVB for the
time being.
Because TVB uses music produced by the four music
labels, it is required to pay copyright fees. The point of
contention is on how much TVB should pay. So refusing
to pay is not a responsible way to do business, although
it takes time for the two parties to negotiate on a suitable
amount.
Impact on viewers
The headquarters of the
International Federation of
the Phonographic Industry
(IFPI) is in London and
there are regional offices Did you know?
in Brussels, Hong Kong,
Miami and Moscow. Since the IFPI has close relations
with Emperor Music, the copyright issue does not affect
singers such as Joey Yung.
ULTIMATELY, Joe Public is the loser. Programme
quality drops if major pop stars are absent. It can show its
disapproval by not watching these music programmes.
Another more active way is to voice out online.
At least 10 Facebook groups have been created to go
up against TVB in this dispute. One group gathered more
than 6,500 friends and it suggested supporting the four
music companies to break TVB’s stranglehold on the
local music scene.
1. What is the conflict
between TVB and the
HKRIA?
2. What is the HKRIA?
Critical thinking
3. Why did the four music
companies form the organisation?
The music companies could therefore be
forced to look for new media partners, such
as ATV, or put material online.
4. Do you support the actions of the HKRIA? Why?
5. Do you think there should be more free TV channels
in Hong Kong? Why?
Impact on TVB
CUTTING out these singers would help TVB
avoid paying large amounts in copyright
fees. However this will affect music
programmes’ quality resulting in viewers
switching over to different channels.
Controversial copyright matters
THIS issue reflects the tricky nature of handling copyright charges. Hong Kong has made
huge efforts in protecting intellectual property rights; however there are many difficulties in
implementing a licensing system.
Another issue is about the monopoly of TVB. Since the adoption of digital
broadcasting, there are now more channels to choose from. Local audiences
welcome Cable TV’s proposal of a new free TV channel, and also
want ATV to strengthen its competitiveness.
Vocabulary
furious (adj) 憤怒
discontent (n) 不滿
undervalue (v) 輕視
monopolising (v) 壟斷
secure (v) 確保
contention (n) 爭論
dispute (n) 爭執
stranglehold (n) 壓制