E6-7 Liberal Studies Personal Development & Interpersonal Relationships Globalisation Thursday, January 21, 2010 Energy Technology & the Environment Modern China ■ Text: Jessica Fan ■ Photos: Sing Tao Daily Liberal Studies Hong Kong Today Public Health NNewsews This article enables students to: 1. Assess phenomena, trends and impacts in relation to society and culture. EVERAL music award presentation ceremonies are music programmes than before, and 2. Appreciate the views and values of people from different social backgrounds. normally held in January and they always attract strong third is that the fee is for unlimited usage interest and high TV viewing fi gures because many singers of the music all year round. Sattend these events. Previously, music copyright issues between TVB and local labels On January 1 this year, Commercial Radio hosted their annual were handled by the International Federation of the Phonographic music awards ceremony and TVB broadcast it afterwards. Due to Industry (IFPI). The four music companies used to belong to the IFPI, copyright constraints, TVB cut out performances of singers belonging but they left that organisation to form HKRIA so as to bargain for to the four major local music companies in the SAR: EMI Group, higher fees with companies such as TVB. Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music. Some TV audiences Apart from charging copyright fees, HKRIA also collects licence were furious about this arrangement and even set up Facebook fees from karaoke boxes, bars, shopping malls and others who use it groups to air their discontent. for commercial purposes. They claim this is to protect music, and the The struggle between TVB and the major labels could be traced organisation said it would pass the money on to music producers and to the establishment of the Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance singers. Limited (HKRIA), which collects copyright fees for its members. Popular local singers Alex Fong and Stephy Tang belong to EMI Group; Jason Chan and Ekin Cheung are under Sony Music; Kay Tse AAnalysisnalysis Four major local music and Eason Chan are signed to Universal Music; and Fiona Sit and companies formed HKRIA Kahli Fong belong to Warner Music. Impact on artists and music labels Because TVB uses music produced by the four music and charged TVB higher labels, it is required to pay copyright fees. The point of copyright fees. This sparked Starting from 2010, HKRIA is charging TVB HK$2.9 million per THIS issue highlights the confusion of handling music contention is on how much TVB should pay. So refusing off a clash between HKRIA Key ideas year, an increase in copyright fees compared to before. copyright issues in Hong Kong, and the problems created to pay is not a responsible way to do business, although and TVB resulting in many pop singers being cut out of According to HKRIA, there are three reasons for the increase. The by a TV station monopolising the local market. it takes time for the two parties to negotiate on a suitable TVB programmes. This has affected different parties, as fi rst reason is that the previous amount undervalued the music and TVB has the highest audience rating in Hong Kong, amount. well as Hong Kong audiences. artists, the second is that TVB hosts more and its rival Asia Television Limited (ATV) has a relatively smaller number of viewers. Impact on viewers The headquarters of the That is why music companies go out of their way ULTIMATELY, Joe Public is the loser. Programme International Federation of to please TVB so they can secure air time for their quality drops if major pop stars are absent. It can show its the Phonographic Industry singers’ music videos and give them more opportunities disapproval by not watching these music programmes. (IFPI) is in London and to perform on shows. This copyright conflict worsened Another more active way is to voice out online. there are regional offices Did you know? in Brussels, Hong Kong, relations between the two parties, and so the station cut At least 10 Facebook groups have been created to go Miami and Moscow. Since the IFPI has close relations out the labels’ singers from its music programmes. For the up against TVB in this dispute. One group gathered more Harmony TVB awards presentation on January 16, Eason Chan and with Emperor Music, the copyright issue does not affect than 6,500 friends and it suggested supporting the four singers such as Joey Yung. and Kay Tse did not show up and did not receive any awards. music companies to break TVB’s stranglehold on the TVB’s decision greatly reduces the exposure of those local music scene. 1. What is the conflict singers; the ones with new albums on the way or staging between TVB and the concerts in early 2010 will be seriously hit. For example, HKRIA? discord Hins Cheung will hold a concert in mid-February, Four major local music labels are in a bitter dispute with and he cannot promote his songs on TVB for the 2. What is the HKRIA? Critical thinking Television Broadcast Limited (TVB), the TV station with the time being. 3. Why did the four music companies form the organisation? largest audience share, over the copyright of their music The music companies could therefore be forced to look for new media partners, such 4. Do you support the actions of the HKRIA? Why? which has raised the public’s concern on copyright issues as ATV, or put material online. 5. Do you think there should be more free TV channels and music programmes’ quality, writes Jessica Fan. in Hong Kong? Why? Impact on TVB CUTTING out these singers would help TVB avoid paying large amounts in copyright fees. However this will affect music programmes’ quality resulting in viewers switching over to different channels. Controversial copyright matters THIS issue refl ects the tricky nature of handling copyright charges. Hong Kong has made huge efforts in protecting intellectual property rights; however there are many diffi culties in implementing a licensing system. Another issue is about the monopoly of TVB. Since the adoption of digital broadcasting, there are now more channels to choose from. Local audiences welcome Cable TV’s proposal of a new free TV channel, and also want ATV to strengthen its competitiveness. Vocabulary furious (adj) 憤怒 discontent (n) 不滿 undervalue (v) 輕視 monopolising (v) 壟斷 secure (v) 確保 contention (n) 爭論 dispute (n) 爭執 stranglehold (n) 壓制.