MACA Joins DSE to Explain Music Copyright Protection in Public Conference

    (Macao, Mar. 13, 2015) – - Macau Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (MACA) is invited by the Macao Economic Service (DSE) to join a public conference on the topic of the copyright protection of musical and audio-visual works, during which MACA’s operation and music public performing licensing are explained.

The goal of the public conference is to provide the public with a clear definition of copyright, its importance and its use. Emphasis is placed on the law governing copyright in Macau 43/99/M, where it is provided that whenever there is a public performance or public communication of musical works protected by copyright, the permission of the copyright owner, whether local or foreign, is required before the use may be carried out. Hence, music users have the responsibility to apply for a music public performance license when performing music in public by any means. In addition, the infringement of relevant copyright can constitute civil liability, and the copyright owner can sue for loss through injunction.

MACA, established in 2009, is the sole and operating collective management organization, or a musical society established under the current law and regulations regarding music copyrights in Macao, and registered with the DSE, with the goal to effectively ensure the advancement of creator’s moral interests and the defence of the material interests of creators and publishers. Locally, MACA has 65 local members with more than one thousands musical works. Internationally, MACA has signed reciprocal agreements with more than thirty overseas musical societies who entrusted MACA to manage musical works for over a million composers or authors in Macao. In addition to copyright protection, it is also the mission of MACA to promote and sponsor the musical activities and to encourage local music talents. Hence. MACA also organizes various events such as talks, seminars, song writers’ quests, and music festivals through the years.

UNG Kuoc Iang, MACA Chairman, also states that in year 2014, MACA reached an agreement with Melco Crown Entertainment, and Sands Macao respectively, for their music usage. UNG urges music users to apply for music license before using music so as to protect music copyright and respect music creators. MACA is current using the DIVA system to carry out royalty distribution according to the music usage reports as submitted by users. The royalty will reward the music creators for their hard work and encourage them to create more music for the world to enjoy.

Speakers in the public conference for musical and audio-visual works copyright protection