A Civil Law Perspective on the Music Copyright Dispute: Agnez Mo vs. Ari Bias
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v24i2.6148Keywords:
Copyright, Music Royalties, Copyright Dispute, Civil Law, Contracts.Abstract
Copyright disputes in the music industry often arise due to unclear mechanisms for royalty payments. The case of Ari Bias vs. Agnez Mo, regarding the unauthorized use of the song "Bilang Saja" in a concert, sparked legal debate over royalty payment responsibilities. The Central Jakarta Commercial Court's ruling, which held Agnez Mo accountable, raised questions about civil law interpretations in copyright protection. This study uses a qualitative method with a normative juridical approach, examining Copyright Law No. 28 of 2014, collective management organization (LMK) regulations, and music industry contracts. The findings reveal that unclear royalty payment responsibilities, lack of transparency by LMKs, and weak legal awareness within the music industry are major causes of disputes. Furthermore, music contracts often fail to clearly define royalty obligations, creating legal loopholes. This study concludes that clearer regulations on royalty responsibilities in concerts, improved LMK transparency, and legal education for musicians and songwriters are essential. With stronger policy reforms, similar disputes can be reduced, and the copyright and royalty protection system in Indonesia can operate more effectively and fairly.
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