COMPASS Launches Uncommon Copyright Case Against Slim Entertainment

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

During the proceedings, COMPASS presented evidence showing that the KTV lounge had featured popular songs by renowned artists such as Jay Chou and JJ Lin without proper authorization. Despite numerous attempts to communicate with Slim Entertainment through letters, the company failed to respond, prompting COMPASS to take further action.

In a bid to gather evidence, two licensing executives from COMPASS, Claire Lee and Gerald Ng, booked a room at Catwalk and recorded themselves singing the unlicensed songs. Their actions were deemed necessary after Slim Entertainment did not respond to a public notice served by a freelance clerk, who had attempted to deliver court summons to a manager of the company.

In court, the prosecution highlighted that COMPASS is a non-profit collective management organization regulated by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, managing approximately 19.5 million musical works on behalf of songwriters and publishers. The evidence presented included video clips of the songs played in the lounge, including “Jie Kou” and “Ting Ma Ma De Hua.”

Throughout the hearing, the representatives of COMPASS noted the lack of engagement from Slim Entertainment. “They deprive the music writers of the royalties that are due to them,” Mr. Ng stated, emphasizing the organization’s role in protecting the rights of music creators. The judge ultimately found Slim Entertainment guilty on all 20 charges, confirming that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sentencing has been scheduled for December, with potential fines of up to S$40,000 for each count of copyright infringement. If an individual were convicted of a similar offense, penalties could include a fine of up to S$20,000 or imprisonment for up to two years.

The outcome of this case underscores the importance of adhering to copyright laws and the role of licensing bodies like COMPASS in safeguarding the interests of music creators. The organization’s actions reflect a commitment to ensuring that artists receive the recognition and financial compensation they deserve for their work.