INDONESIAUPDATES.COM, News En – Indonesian music icon and member of the House of Representatives (DPR), Melly Goeslaw, has expressed her astonishment over the recent controversy involving a fine imposed on singer Agnez Mo for performing a song. According to Melly, it is the event organizers, not the artists, who should be responsible for paying royalties for the songs performed during events.
“According to the law, every event organizer is obligated to pay royalties to the songwriters for the songs performed at their events. Therefore, it should be the promoter or event organizer who pays, not the singer,” Melly stated on her Instagram account (@melly_goeslaw) on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The issue gained attention after Agnez Mo was sued for copyright infringement after performing the song “Bilang Saja” at three different events in 2023. The lawsuit, filed by songwriter Ari Sapta Hermawan (known as Ari Bias), led to a court ruling where Agnez Mo was ordered to pay a hefty fine of Rp 1.5 billion. This fine was a result of her failure to respond to a prior cease-and-desist letter from Ari.
Melly Goeslaw, who has long been an advocate for artists’ rights, believes that this situation could lead to deteriorating relationships between songwriters and singers. “This must be resolved immediately to prevent damaging the ecosystem. The relationship between singers and songwriters could be harmed. They are supposed to be equal partners,” she explained.
The situation has sparked a broader conversation about copyright laws in Indonesia, particularly in the music industry. Melly, along with the DPR’s Commission X, is currently working on revising Indonesia’s Copyright Law to clarify the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in the use of copyrighted works.
As someone actively involved in the legislative process, Melly emphasized the need for transparency and proper understanding of copyright issues. “I am currently drafting a revision of the Copyright Law, and I demand clear explanations. This is also an opportunity for public education to ensure there is no misperception in society,” she remarked.
The case has raised several questions about the management and enforcement of copyright in Indonesia. It’s clear that more needs to be done to educate both the public and the industry on how intellectual property rights are handled. For now, the spotlight remains on how this issue will be resolved and how future cases of this nature will be approached.
In the midst of all this, Melly Goeslaw’s call for a clearer, more transparent copyright system reflects the concerns of many artists and stakeholders who fear that misunderstandings over these laws could lead to more conflicts and difficulties for Indonesia’s music scene.
FAQ: Melly Goeslaw and the Agnez Mo Copyright Controversy
1. What happened with Agnez Mo and the copyright issue? Agnez Mo was sued by songwriter Ari Sapta Hermawan (Ari Bias) for copyright infringement after performing his song “Bilang Saja” at three different events in 2023. Despite her efforts to cooperate with the relevant parties, the court ruled that Agnez Mo should pay a fine of Rp 1.5 billion for not securing the appropriate royalties for the performance.
2. Why is Melly Goeslaw involved in this issue? Melly Goeslaw, a well-known Indonesian musician and member of the House of Representatives (DPR), has spoken out on the matter. She is particularly concerned that the responsibility for paying royalties lies with event organizers, not the performers. As part of Commission X in the DPR, Melly is involved in drafting revisions to Indonesia’s Copyright Law to ensure clearer rules for artists and organizers alike.
3. What is Melly Goeslaw’s stance on the matter? Melly believes that according to Indonesian law, it is the responsibility of event organizers (promoters and EO) to pay royalties to the songwriters for any music performed at their events. She argues that it’s unfair to hold the artists themselves accountable for paying royalties, as they are the performers, not the copyright holders.
4. What action is Melly Goeslaw taking? Melly, alongside Commission X, is currently working on revising the Copyright Law to clarify the responsibilities surrounding royalties. She is also advocating for more public education on the proper handling of intellectual property rights to prevent future misunderstandings in the music industry.
5. How did the court ruling affect Agnez Mo? The court ruled that Agnez Mo must pay a fine of Rp 1.5 billion for her performance of “Bilang Saja” at three events in 2023, after a lawsuit filed by Ari Sapta Hermawan. The case raised questions about the application of copyright laws and the financial obligations of performers.
6. What is the main concern raised by Melly Goeslaw? Melly is concerned that the situation could damage the relationship between songwriters and performers. She stresses that artists and songwriters should be equal partners in the music industry, and issues like this could harm the professional environment if not properly addressed.
7. How can this issue affect the music industry in Indonesia? If not resolved, this case could lead to more legal disputes and damage the collaborative relationships between artists and songwriters. It could also discourage artists from performing certain songs if they fear legal consequences or misunderstandings about royalty payments.
8. What should people understand about copyright laws in Indonesia? Melly urges the public to gain a clear understanding of copyright laws to prevent misperceptions. She emphasizes that both artists and organizers should be well-versed in their rights and responsibilities regarding intellectual property, which will contribute to a healthier, more transparent music industry in Indonesia.
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