KPOP has earned great popularity overseas, and with that popularity overseas music sales has increased as well. But it has recently been revealed that music distributing companies such as Mnet and Soribada have been illegally distributing music.
Korean music distributors such as Soribada and CJ Mnet have been making a profit by distributing Korean music overseas. The only problem is that the writers or artists that have written these songs do not know about this. They have signed contracts that only allows the songs to be sold within Korean, but the distributors have been selling these songs overseas without the permission of the copyright owners.
A 2NE1 music distribution employee stated, “Since we never mentioned signing an international distribution contract it’s illegal…”
Typically American music distributors such as iTunes will sell a song for approximately 1,500 Won, and give approximately 900 Won to the copyright holders. In Soribada’s case they have clumped together many songs and sold the songs at 60 Won per song.
An overseas user said, “Typically foreign sites cost about $1 per song, but (Korean sites) have lower prices and they come in packages…”
The involved companies have stated it was an employee mistake. Though they have resigned with the various management agencies they are still in the process of moving ahead. There are arguments that major distributors are interfering with the development of Korean music.
Assemblyman Lee Chul Woo said, “Selling someone’s work overseas is no different from theft. To illegally distribute music for free is only hindering Hallyu.”
International music distributors are currently preparing to sue illegal distributors for damages.
Source: NaverNews
Translation: KPOPNEWSNOW.tumblr.com
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