Karaoke bars to face trials over copyright breaches

BEIJING - More than 100 karaoke bar operators in Beijing may be facing lawsuits over royalties for songs and music videos that they use.

A source from the China Audio-Video Copyright Association (CAVCA), who would not be named, told China Daily on Monday that they have hired a panel of lawyers and collected evidence, and the association is ready to take the case to court soon.

The source said those accused will be not only asked to pay high compensation, but also charged at the maximum royalty rate, or 11 yuan ($1.65) for each karaoke room's daily operation.