COMPASS Takes Legal Action Against Karaoke Lounge for Copyright Breach

The Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) has initiated a rare private prosecution against Slim Entertainment, the owner of Catwalk, a karaoke lounge located in the Textile Centre at Jalan Sultan. This legal action, opened on October 22, 2024, follows allegations that Catwalk unlawfully played songs from COMPASS’s repertoire without the necessary licenses, infringing the Copyright Act.

During the proceedings, COMPASS presented evidence that the lounge featured music from well-known artists such as Jay Chou and JJ Lin. Legal representatives from Coleman Street Chambers outlined COMPASS’s role as a non-profit organization that manages roughly 19.5 million musical works on behalf of creators, including authors, composers, and publishers.

The court heard that Slim Entertainment ignored numerous communications from COMPASS regarding licensing requirements. After receiving no response, two licensing executives from COMPASS, Ms. Claire Lee and Mr. Gerald Ng, conducted an undercover visit to Catwalk to gather evidence. They booked a room like any other customer and recorded their experience singing the unlicensed songs.

Mr. Ng testified, “We went down just like any other typical customer… it’s a KTV joint.” In court, video evidence was presented, including performances of tracks such as “Jie Kou” and “Ting Ma Ma De Hua.” The prosecution asserted that Slim Entertainment’s actions deprived music writers of due royalties, prompting COMPASS to take legal measures to uphold their rights.

The prosecution successfully established all 20 charges against Slim Entertainment, with the judge ruling in favor of COMPASS. Each count of copyright infringement can result in fines of up to S$40,000. In cases involving individuals, penalties could include imprisonment for up to two years, fines of S$20,000, or a combination of both.

Sentencing has been postponed until December. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by copyright enforcement agencies in protecting the rights of music creators in Singapore. The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of compliance with copyright laws, especially in the entertainment sector.