Additional Powers of the Copyright Tribunal

The Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has by a gazette notification published on 3 June 2020, appointed 1 July 2020 as the date on which the Malaysian Copyright (Amendment) Act 2020 (“Amendment Act”) will come into operation.
 
The Amendment Act will amend the Copyright Act 1987 and introduce an additional section 59c, empowering the Copyright Tribunal to hear any dispute relating to royalties arising between a licensing body and any of its members subject to the agreement of such licensing body and such member, as an option to alternative dispute resolution.
 
Previously, disputes between the licensing body and any of its members relating to distribution of royalties were either resolved among themselves, by Music Rights Malaysia Berhad (MRM) acting as a mediator when required, or through Court proceedings.
 
The new provision section 59c will provide an alternate, cost reducing and time efficient platform for licensing bodies and their members to resolve disputes relating to royalties by providing additional powers to the existing Copyright Tribunal.
 
If you have any queries on the above, please contact our Ms Alyshea Low (Senior Associate) at alyshea.low@skrine.com.