Antalya restaurants seek unified music royalty payment system

The Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) Restaurant, Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Services Professional Committee is calling for a unified music royalty payment system. While industry representatives state they do not refuse to pay royalties, they are seeking a single, reasonable price structure to replace the current fragmented system.

Currently, businesses must negotiate separate licenses with seven different music professional associations, including MESAM, MSG, and MÜYAP. This process results in significant administrative burdens and high costs; representatives note that agreements with just three organizations can cost at least 100,000 TL plus VAT, while dealing with all seven can reach between 150,000 and 200,000 TL.

The committee is requesting the same streamlined licensing model currently available to the hospitality sector. Since June 2023, a protocol between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and music associations has allowed approximately 21,000 hotels and pensions to benefit from discounted rates and simplified payments. After failing to receive a response to a request sent to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) in May 2024, the committee has decided to re-escalate the matter to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Additionally, the committee expressed concerns regarding the methods used by lawyers and civil police during inspections, describing them as raid-like actions that damage the commercial reputation of businesses.