Media News - Friday, March 13, 2009

Singapore: Web radio services go offline

A dispute over licence fees has forced most of Singapore's radio stations to stop streaming online. Following an amendment to the Copyright Act last November, the Recording Industry Performance Singapore (Rips) asked radio broadcasters to pay an annual licensing fee if they wanted to continue their Internet radio service. Currently, over-the-air radio stations are exempted from having to pay royalties to record companies. The November amendment, though, clarified that this exemption did not extend to Internet streaming services. Because of this, said Rips general manager Barbara Wong, broadcasters need to obtain 'licences to continue their Internet streaming, just as their counterparts in many other jurisdictions are required to.' She declined to elaborate as 'these friendly negotiations are still ongoing.' Last week, though, MediaCorp and Safra Radio suspended the Internet streaming of their radio stations. MediaCorp runs more than a dozen radio stations; Safra Radio operates two. A source familiar with the issue here told The Straits Times that one of the main stumbling blocks is the five-figure sum per station each year that Rips wants. If Rips and the broadcasters cannot reach an agreement, the broadcasters may simply stop their Internet radio services for good. (The Straits Times via Asia Media)

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