Radio, television stations urged to protect copyrights
Radio, television stations urged to protect copyrights
JAKARTA (JP): The dominant political organization Golkar
yesterday appealed to all radio and television stations to join
in the government's campaign to enhance copyright protection for
music works.
Ais Anantama Said, head of Golkar's Department of Art and
Culture, said radio and television stations should refrain from
airing songs that are believed to be pirated works of foreign
artists.
"Copyright protection should not be limited to films only.
Songs should also be protected," Ais told Antara yesterday after
the opening ceremony of a leadership training program for some
400 artists associated with the ruling organization.
Attended by film and television artists, singers, songwriters
and comedians, the three-day course at Golkar headquarters was
opened by chairman Harmoko.
Ais cited the example of the popular jingle Olee .. Olee which
has now been widely copied by locals, either partly or in its
entirety.
A number of artists have even created dangdut versions, he
said referring to a local style of popular music.
The jingle is also widely used by television stations to
accompany their soccer programs.
The practice, even if only a bar or two is stolen, is a
copyright violation and a criminal offense, he said.
The practice of copying popular foreign works also reflects a
lack of creativity, he added.
"I'm saddened every time I see or hear pirated songs being
aired on television or radio," he said.
He noted that the government is serious in its campaign to end
copyright violations with Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono
calling on the courts to mete out stiffer penalties for the
culprits.
Responding to Ais' appeal, Jimmy Tingon of Sonora, a private
Jakarta radio station, said he is very selective when choosing
Indonesian songs to be aired.
Sonora allocates about 45 minutes each day for Indonesian
songs and pirated works are regularly excluded.
"It's embarrassing and sickening," Jimmy said of the pirated
works. "It's simply a lack of creativity." (emb)