In a controversial ruling last month, the rights body the PPCA managed to get a ruling pumping up the costs for gyms to have music blaring while gym bunnies and steroid freaks work out. Fitness Australia, which has member operating 1,100 gyms, has appealed the Copyright Tribunal’s recent ruling pushing up rates for the use of music in fitness classes. At the moment, a gym’s PPCA license costs just 80 cents a class, capped annually at $2,654 Australian ($2,202). After a massive battle fight from both sides, the Tribunal on May 17 applied a new rate of $1 for each fitness class attendee or an optional flat rate of $15 Australian ($12.44) per class, a hike of more than 1,500%. Fitness First, the largest chain of gyms in Australia, has decided to only play royalty free music in it’s gyms. Expect lots of Filippino cruise ship bands playing covers next time you hit the gym.
