Singapore’s COMPASS Takes Legal Action Against Karaoke Lounge for Copyright Violations

The Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) has initiated an unusual private prosecution against Slim Entertainment, the owner of the karaoke lounge Catwalk, for copyright infringement. This legal action comes after the lounge, located in the Textile Centre on Jalan Sultan, allegedly played music from COMPASS’s repertoire without the necessary licenses, including popular tracks by artists such as Jay Chou and JJ Lin.

On October 22, 2024, COMPASS presented its case in court, asserting that Slim Entertainment had failed to respond to multiple license requests. In the absence of a reply, two licensing executives from COMPASS conducted an undercover operation, booking a room at Catwalk to gather evidence of the unauthorized music use. Following a brief hearing where Slim Entertainment did not appear, the judge found the company guilty of all 20 charges brought forth by COMPASS under the Copyright Act.

The charges pertained to ten songs, divided between the music compositions and their lyrics. Legal representatives from Coleman Street Chambers, representing COMPASS, emphasized that the organization is a non-profit entity regulated by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. They manage approximately 19.5 million musical works on behalf of music creators, including authors and publishers.

During the court proceedings, two COMPASS licensing executives testified that despite their numerous attempts to communicate with Slim Entertainment, their correspondence received no response. A freelance service clerk also confirmed serving notice of the court appearance and charges to a manager from Slim Entertainment.

In their opening statement, COMPASS highlighted an interaction on October 2, 2024, when the director of Slim Entertainment visited their office seeking clarification on copyright requirements and licensing fees. Despite receiving guidance and a request to submit relevant application forms, no further communication was made by Slim Entertainment.

The court heard from Mr. Gerald Ng, one of the licensing executives, who explained their rationale for the undercover operation. “We went down just like any other typical customer,” he stated, describing the experience in a KTV room. They presented video evidence in court, showcasing performances of songs such as “Jie Kou” and “Ting Ma Ma De Hua,” reinforcing their claims against Slim Entertainment.

Mr. Ng expressed concern over the prolonged nature of the proceedings, attributing the delay to Slim Entertainment’s lack of engagement. “They deprive the music writers of the royalties that are due to them,” he stated. COMPASS’s role is to protect the interests of these creators, and the organization felt compelled to take legal action due to the defendant’s non-compliance.

The judge ultimately concluded that the prosecution had met the burden of proof for all charges against Slim Entertainment. Sentencing has been deferred until December, during which the company could face fines of up to S$40,000 for each infringement. Should an individual be found guilty, penalties could include up to two years in prison, a fine of S$20,000, or both.

This case underscores the importance of copyright compliance within the entertainment industry, particularly regarding the protection of artistic works and the rights of music creators.