Legal Literacy - Read this article to understand copyright or song patent rights according to the Copyright Law Number 28 of 2014 and the concept of licensing performing right in Indonesia. Find out whether a songwriter can prohibit other people from singing his/her song and how music royalties are regulated according to the laws and regulations.

The feud between Ahmad Dhani and Elfonda Mekel or better known as Once Mekel, has become a public spotlight because Dhani forbade Once from performing Dewa 19's songs in his concerts. However, can a songwriter prohibit other people from singing his/her song and how are music royalties regulated according to the laws and regulations in Indonesia?

According to the Copyright Law Number 28 of 2014, a songwriter has economic rights over performing rights or performing right carried out by other people or users. However, for other people who want to perform the song, they must first obtain permission from the songwriter.

In this case, the permit is not issued directly by the songwriter but by the National Collective Management Organization (LMKN) by paying a fee only. That way, in order to obtain economic rights over his/her creation on performing right, a songwriter must be registered with the LMK. Later, the LMK will distribute economic rights to registered songwriters.