Back in June we reported that the PPCA had managed to increase its fees to gyms for playing music in it’s classes by 1500%. Naturally the fitness industry was up in arms about the ruling from the Copyright Tribunal and took the case to the Federal Court.
Now Fitness Australia, the industry group representing fitness centres across Australia has had the ruling from the Copyright Tribunal overturned. The ruling from May would have allowed the PPCA to increase it’s copyright fee from 94.6 cents per fitness class to $15 per class for the use of original music.
Fitness Australia fought the ruling arguing there was a breach of the rules of “natural justice”. The Federal Court today found that the Copyright Tribunal conducted itself in a way which was “procedurally unfair to Fitness Australia”. The PPCA has also been ordered to pay costs.
Chief Executive Lauretta Stace of Fitness Australia today said “If it had been upheld, the claim made by PPCA would have resulted in a typical fitness centre with 1500 members being forced to pay over $80,000 in fees per annum, a massive increase on the $2,000 they currently pay”
“This decision will ensure that gyms, fitness and recreation centres remain viable and affordable for all Australians, helping them to maintain a healthy lifestyle”.
What this now means for the PPCA’s aims to increase fees in licensed venues and other industries is anyones guess. But no doubt the PPCA will be reeling from the precedent this now sets for some time.
