The Georgian Copyright Association is asking venues, including beauty salons, to pay royalties for playing music. Why has this issue come onto the agenda?
— It concerns me too, because there are more pressing problems in the sector. There is no basic regulation setting out how a salon should open or what standards it should meet. People who want to run a properly organised business from day one have no standards to follow.
As for the music, there is a legal basis for it — the rules on playing music are regulated, and two associations are involved. For example: if I play music on my own television via YouTube, where it can be listened to for free, why should I pay? The answer was: listen to whatever you like, as long as it does not serve your business interests. Music may be played free of charge only if the author or composer has been deceased for 70 years or more.
How much is the charge?
— It depends on the size of the venue and the number of people. The amount starts at GEL 35 and can rise to GEL 70–80. It is charged daily. This is difficult, particularly at a time when supplies have become more expensive but we cannot raise our prices, because demand is already down. Utility costs have risen as well.
Where do you see a way out?
— We can argue with those who passed the law, but we are powerless before the law itself. A special offer has been mentioned — we will see what comes of it. Perhaps they will at least offer a grace period or a discounted rate.
What is the situation with service prices?
— After the first lockdown we had to add a great deal in order to comply with regulations. That pushed service prices up by roughly 10–15%, though this does not apply to every venue. Right now we are focused on survival, and no price increases are planned at this stage.
