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A storm is brewing for restaurant group La Parada, who are accused of using local musicians’ music without paying royalty fees.

The SA Music Performance Rights Association (Sampra) has now launched legal action against La Parada, claiming damages to the tune of R5 million.

La Parada is not the only restaurant in the group’s crosshairs as several franchises, including Tiger’s Milk, have been accused of withholding licensing fees for the local tunes they have been playing.

According to anonymous sources, the non-payment has “worsened the plight of artists who are battling to get copyright remuneration for their work”.

“In terms of the financial flow, it will have quite a negative impact because, as artists, we don’t expect salaries, so these kinds of things come in handy in a time of need… The umbrella company does admit to using our music. We are at loggerheads with them because they must pay for using the music of our artists.”

Sampra CEO Pfanani Lishivha said the organisation outlines its responsibility towards its members, who include a plethora of musicians, including house juggernaut Black Coffee and DJ Tira. He added that royalties played an important part in sustaining the lives of musicians even in life over music.

“Over the past four years, we have been earnestly trying to negotiate with Life and Brand Portfolio to pay the licence fees due, as we are aware that they are using our members’ music in their establishments. Life and Brand Portfolio is, however, adamant in its stance of using music illegally and therefore depriving recording companies and artists of their right to earn income from their music.”

Last month the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), began legal proceedings against the West Rand City Local Municipality, demanding more than R2 million after a musical licensing deal – which saw the municipality being allowed to utilise the organisation’s music in all its social and corporate gatherings – turned sour.

“Samro assessed the amount due in terms of the licence based on the information provided and confirmed by Rand West City municipality and according to the tariff applicable to the licence and invoiced the municipality accordingly. Samro utilised the latest licence parameter return from the municipality in circumstances where requests for updated licence parameter returns were declined,” read the court documents.

The La Parada group have not yet responded to the claims.

[source:citypress]