Japan's Top Court Exempts Music School Students' Play From Copyright Fees
Japan's Supreme Court has ruled that performances by music school students are not subject to copyright payments, while copyright holders may charge for musical works used by teachers in music classes.
This is the first finalized court ruling in Japan regarding copyright fees in music schools.
In 2017, about 250 music school operators filed a lawsuit against the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers, or JASRAC.
The operators opposed JASRAC's decision to charge music schools copyright fees for music pieces played in lessons.
Last year, the high court ruled that copyright fees may be collected for music used by teachers but not by students.
On Monday, presiding justice Miyama Takuya of the top court said the objective of students' performances is to enhance their skills.
He said students' performances are guided by teachers to achieve this objective and are deemed voluntary. He concluded that the copyright fees may not be collected from music schools for songs played by students.
The ruling was unanimous among the five justices.