Premises such as department stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars, where background music is commonly played, are major targets for checks.

Su Zhijun, the chief representative of the Music Copyright Society of China in Beijing, told China Daily yesterday: "We have been collecting such fees for a long time and now we would like to extend them to all corners of society."

Su's office last year signed agreements authorizing the use of copyright music with 64 hotels rated as three-star or above, 22 department stores, supermarkets and restaurants.

Big names such as Beijing Hotel, China Grand Hotel and Beijing Times Square were included on the list.

The nation's Copyright Law, which took effect in 1991, stipulates in general terms that the right to stage a performance of copyright works should be protected.

In documents issued in 1999 concerning the application of the law, the central government's National Copyright Administration made clear that the term "performance" covers both live and recorded music.

The latest amendment to the Copyright Law was made last year. It included a clear provision that both live and recorded performances should be protected, in line with the requirements of the World Trade Organization.

"It (last year's amendment) was a move to reinforce the legal protection of music copyright," said a society employee who refused to be identified. "Of course, it would help encourage more production of creative music as well," he added.

The collection of copyright fees has already begun in other big cities, including Chengdu, Dalian, Nanjing, Shanghai and Tianjin, according to the society sources.

Su said 80 per cent of the fees will be paid to musicians, while 20 per cent will go towards the society's operating costs.

Fees for foreign musicians such as Richard Clayderman and Kenny G will be delivered via other performing-rights societies in the Paris-based International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers.

China has signed reciprocal representation agreements with 36 countries or regions.

The Music Copyright Society of China, established a decade ago, has become the country's only non-profit collectively managed organization for music copyright.

(China Daily October 11, 2002)