Song writers in Vietnam are opposing a circular issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as it may enable show organisers to use their works for free.

Pho Duc Phuong

Artists had pinned high hopes on Decree 15 which was released on March 15 which was supposed to deal with issues in the entertainment business including performing arts and beauty pageants.

But when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued the detailed circular on how to implement the decree, the artists were surprised by its contents.

"The circular is vague and at some points, contradicted with the Decree 15. The composers, song-writers are...cast aside," song-writer Pho Duc Phuong, head of Vietnam Centre for the Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC) said.

According to Decree 15, the Department of Performing Arts and the Department Culture, Sports and Tourism will give permits to organisers only when they have papers including a contract, written agreement or just a commitment to follow copyright laws related to the original author or copyright owner.

Yet the circular only require organisers to submit a commitment to follow copyright laws.

"Commitment to whom? And if the circular is really detailed, it would have to state that the commitment need a witness for the signature," Former Vice Director of Bureau of Copyright Do Khac Chien said.

Do Khac Chien

He went on to say that the circular would create a loophole as organisers only needed to make a vague commitment and then they can use whatever they like.

Many song-writers are upset as they feel their work will be exploited for free.

They have demanded more clarity and transparency from the state agencies.

Song writer Nguyen Tai Tue said, "My work is being used everywhere and I’ve never received a phone call to ask for permission, let alone a written agreement or contract. VCPMC has been established for 14 years but they’ve been able to recover only 15 percent of the royalties owed."

Musician Pho Duc Phuong said they would submit a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, National Assembly's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the department for legal document scrutiny under the Ministry of Justice.

Dtinews