Japan’s music copyright management organization will start accruing copyright fees from schools offering lessons for piano, guitar, and other instruments on January 2018. Some organizations like the Yamaha Music Foundation are studying on how to accord with the plan but they are also worried that the fees will hinder Japan’s music culture.
The Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers, and Publishers stated that the copyright fees would be charged on commercial music class operators who regularly teach students. The operators would be able to choose either to pay a set amount or for each usage of music. They also began levying fees on vocal and musical instrument lessons at culture centers in 2016. The number of students might decrease if the tuition fees become higher due to the reversal of copyright fees. It might also lead to the obstruction of the development of music culture. JASRAC is also considering setting the rate for the comprehensive fee at 2.5 percent of the annual earnings from music lesson tuition fees.
Vocabulary:
accruing – [verb] to accumulate or receive
accord – [noun] deal
levying – [verb] impose a tax or fee
obstruction – [noun] an obstacle or blockage
annual – [adjective] occurring once every year
True or False:
- Japan’s music copyright management organization will start accruing copyright fees from schools offering lessons for piano, guitar, and other instruments on January 2018.
- Organizations including the Toshiba Music Foundation are studying on how to deal with the plan.
- They also began levying fees on vocal and musical instrument lessons at culture centers in 2015.
- The operators would be able to choose either to take a set amount or for each usage of music.
- JASRAC is considering setting the rate for the comprehensive fee at 3.5 percent of monthly earnings from music lesson tuition fees.
Express your opinion:
- What do you think is the significance of learning how to play musical instrument?
- Would you encourage your kids to learn any musical instruments?
- Do you play any musical instrument?
Defend your argument:
- “To learn music is to learn a whole new language.”
- “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. -B. King”
- “You’ve got to learn your instrument. -C. Parker”
- “It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -D.G.”
- “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”