8 Portraits of Armand Maulana Responding to Direct License, Highlighting Its Legal Basis - Admits He Has Been Contacted by Many Singers Since This Phenomenon Emerged

Armand explained that the concept they mean is actually more similar to a form of appreciation money, rather than a direct license that has specific legal provisions.

"Maybe it can be said that it’s not a DL, because if it’s a DL, then there should be a legal basis, the articles, and there should be taxes, such as income tax, so in my opinion, it’s more like appreciation money," he explained.

He emphasized that a direct license should have a clear legal basis. "If it’s appreciation money, then it won’t be taxed," he said.

As an example, Armand mentioned the song Hanya Kau Yang Bisa by Laleilmanino that he performed in the Arana Project. "For example, my song in the Arana Project is Hanya Kau Yang Bisa, which is Laleilmanino's song," he said.

He stated that every time he performs that song, the CEO or organizer pays to the National Collective Management Institute (LMKN) and then Nino, as the songwriter, receives his rights. "Every time I sing, the CEO or organizer pays to LMKN and then Nino (gets paid)," he said.

However, there are other situations where a singer wants to give appreciation money to the songwriter. "But for example, 'oh I've been singing this song for eight years, it's really great, every time I sing the audience sings along,' then I call Nino, 'No, I got really good feedback from the audience, I want to give (money) like that,' then Nino says, 'yeah man,' that's what I gave," he said.

Armand emphasized that if the money given is considered a direct license, then there should be taxes imposed. "Well, I call that appreciation money. If it's called DL, it should be taxed," he asserted.

According to him, clear regulations in direct licenses are very important to avoid confusion among musicians. "We're not playing around now, that's how it is," he said.