The music industry’s 25-year problem finally resolved
The 25-Year Problem of the Music Industry Has Been Solved
A recent communiqué published in the Official Gazette has resolved a long-standing issue in the music industry in Turkey. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with 7 music professional associations, has announced that all hotels, motels, hostels, and accommodation facilities in the country must obtain a license for the music played on their premises.
According to the communiqué, businesses such as hotels, holiday villages, and pensions will be required to obtain a license from the music professional associations for the music they play. This means that compulsory licensing will be implemented for repertoires containing works by various artists, based on the tariffs determined by the associations. To comply with the new regulations, hotels and other accommodation facilities must obtain music license certificates from federations operating under the Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works. These certificates will be attached to their tourism operation certificate applications.
Accommodation facilities that were certified before the publication of the communiqué have until October 1, 2023, to submit the necessary documents regarding their music license to the Ministry. It’s important to note that the regulation also covers businesses with temporary accommodation tourism operations.
The Musical Works Owners Group Professional Association (MSG) expressed gratitude towards the Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, for his cooperation and efforts to protect Turkish music, art, and artists in line with the 5846 FSEK Law. MSG, along with associations such as MESAM, MÜYAP, MÜYORBİR, MÜZİKBİR, MÜYA-BİR, and TSMB, thanked the Minister and all stakeholders for their solution-oriented and cooperative approach. TUROFED, TUROB, and other parties involved were also acknowledged for their support.
The mandatory licensing requirement aims to ensure fair compensation for artists and protect the rights of intellectual and artistic works within the music industry. This development promises to bring positive changes, benefiting both musicians and the tourism sector in Turkey.
