Once Mekel Appreciates New Ministerial Regulation on Music Royalties, Encourages Transparency and Protects Song Copyrights

Kapanlagi.com - The Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia officially issued Regulation of the Minister of Law Number 27 of 2025, which regulates the implementation of Government Regulation Number 56 of 2021 concerning the management of copyright royalties for songs and/or music. This regulation serves as a new legal foundation that strengthens the national music industry ecosystem while protecting the rights of musicians in Indonesia.

Singer and member of the House of Representatives Commission X from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Once Mekel, expressed appreciation for the presence of this regulation. According to him, the regulation provides clarity on the mechanism for music royalty payments for the use of songs in commercial public services through the National Collective Management Institution (LMKN).

Read other news about Once Mekel at Liputan6.com.

1. Article 20

Based on Article 20, the obligation to pay music royalties becomes the responsibility of the event organizer or the business owner who utilizes songs for commercial purposes. The payment of copyright royalties for these songs must be channeled through LMKN as the official management institution at the national level.

Furthermore, this regulation also emphasizes that a performance can use songs and/or music without a licensing agreement, as long as royalties are still paid through LMKN.

2. Public Access

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

"Music as a product of the cultural society must remain accessible to the public, while also guaranteeing the economic rights of the creators and related performers. This Minister of Law regulation serves as a legal foundation that strengthens the ecosystem of performances and national musicians," said Once Mekel.

3. A Number of Strategic Steps

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

Furthermore, Once assesses that the implementation of these LMKN regulations will be more optimal if accompanied by a number of strategic steps. Starting from strengthening the role of Collective Management Institutions (LMK) in the transparent distribution of music royalties, to structuring functional relationships between LMK and LMKN.

4. Development of Digital Systems

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

He also emphasized the importance of developing a digital system to monitor the use of song copyrights accurately, in real-time, and reliably. In addition, the Song and/or Music Data Center (PDLM) must always be updated to include complete information about the creators, performers, and recording rights holders.

5. Revision of Rates

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

If necessary, Once also opens the possibility of revising music royalty rates based on agreements among all industry stakeholders.

"These steps aim to create a fair and proportional balance for all parties—creators, singers, master recording owners, organizers, and the public using music," he explained.

6. Increasingly Orderly

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

With the existence of this new regulation, the Indonesian music industry is expected to become more orderly, the rights of musicians are protected, and event organizers have clear guidelines to manage music works legally in accordance with LMKN regulations.

7. Q & A About Royalties

Once Mekel © KapanLagi.com

What are the main challenges in managing music royalties in Indonesia today?
The main challenges include the still low potential royalties collected compared to the actual potential and other countries, public misunderstandings regarding the obligation to pay royalties, and the need for improvements in the system and mechanisms for royalty collection that are more effective and transparent by LMKN.

How is this new Permenkum expected to encourage transparency and protect song copyrights?
Permenkum Number 27 of 2025 is expected to encourage transparency and protect copyrights by clarifying the royalty payment mechanism through LMKN, which is the official institution responsible for royalty management. Once Mekel also emphasizes the importance of updating data in the Song and/or Music Data Center (PDLM) and implementing a good digital monitoring system to ensure transparent and accountable royalty distribution to rights holders.

(kpl/pur/tdr)