PPCA and Fitness Australia agree on new Licence Scheme for fitness classes

A new pricing scheme for Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd (PPCA) licensed music used in fitness classes will come into effect next year following an agreement between peak bodies representing the music and fitness industries.

A joint statement issued by Fitness Australia and PPCA reveals that a five year tariff scheme has been agreed between the parties. It follows a judgment of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia having been set aside on appeal by Fitness Australia in December last year.

Under the new scheme, fitness centre operators can elect to pay licence fees at a flat rate applicable to all classes or at a two-tiered rate adjustable on the number of participants in each class.

The flat class rate per will be $1.50 in 2012 rising to $2.50 in 2014.

The two tiered rate is set out below.

The joint PPCA/Fitness Australia statement read "we are pleased to announce this agreement which brings to an end a period of uncertainty for recordings artists and labels and fitness centre operators using PPCA licensed music in classes. It means that the case will not have to return for another potentially lengthy hearing before the Copyright Tribunal in order to settle a rate."

PPCA is a non-profit organisation that provides licences to Australian businesses to play recorded music in public.

The new scheme comes into effect on 1st January 2012.

Period:

01.01.12 to 31.12.12
Single Per Class Rate: $1.50
Two Tiered Rate Per Class: $0.90 per class with less than 10 participants
$2.10 per class with more than10 participants
 
01.01.13 to 31.12.13
Single Per Class Rate: $2.00
Two Tiered Rate Per Class: $1.20 per class with less than 10 participants
$2.80 per class with more than 10 participants
 
01.01.14 to 31.12.14
Single Per Class Rate: $2.50
Two Tiered Rate Per Class: $1.50 per class with less than 10 participants
$3.50 per class with more than 10 participants
 
01.01.15 to 31.12.15
Single Per Class Rate: $2.50 plus CPI
Two Tiered Rate Per Class: Previous year's rates plus CPI
 
01.01.16 to 31.12.16
Single Per Class Rate: Previous year's rate plus CPI
Two Tiered Rate Per Class: Previous year's rate plus CPI

For more information go to www.ppca.com.au/music-users-/fitness

7th June 2011 - APRA AND FITNESS AUSTRALIA REACH AGREEMENT ON LICENCE SCHEME FOR FITNESS CLASSES

13th May 2011 - HIGH COURT DISMISSES PPCA APPEAL ON MUSIC IN FITNESS

27th January 2011 - PPCA TO APPEAL AUSTRALIAN MUSIC LICENSING DECISION

18th June 2010 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA TO APPEAL COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL DECISION

19th May 2010 - FITNESS FIRST ISSUES COPYRIGHT FREE MUSIC CHALLENGE

17th May 2010 - FITNESS CENTRES HIT BY TRIBUNAL DECISION ON MUSIC FEES 

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