Record label GMM Grammy has stepped back from threats to prosecute venues for unauthorized use of its music.
The megalabel said it has removed warning messages from the end of its videos on YouTube which suggested shop and restaurant owners faced prosecution if they did not pay licensing fees, after many criticized the label for bullying small mom-and-pop operations.
The message, which had appeared at the end of the latest music video by pop duo New – Jiew, warned restaurants, pubs, bars, karaoke bars and shops they must obtain permission and pay licensing fees before playing Grammy’s music and music videos or face criminal prosecution.
The threat applied to content posted to YouTube as the company argued it is intended for private viewing only.
GMM Grammy, which owns licenses to 24,074 songs, sets an annual fee of THB600 for a jukebox and at least THB8,000 for music to be played in a restaurant, depending on its capacity, Manager reported.
The warning message was removed after the social network condemned the company’s policy, with many suggesting shops and restaurants could easily avoid playing Grammy music entirely.
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