The Fiji Performing Rights Association is urging local artists to register their songs and business in order to be granted copyright royalty.

FPRA Chairman Saimoni Vuatalevu says that is a major focus of the association.

Vuatalevu adds the association is the legal custodian to safeguard the rights of local composers who are registered with them.

“They must make sure that they come to our office to register their work. To become our member, they don’t pay any fee. They just need to bring their recording, which song have been played you’re entitled to be a member and also register your song. This is very important, if you want to get some money out of it then you register your song”.

He adds the issuance of licenses to businesses who play music of their members continues to be a hurdle.

Vuatalevu says the association has been conducting rigorous awareness for business houses to secure licenses with a minimal fee.

“Our licensing officer they are the one that goes around to all businesses they do walk the street, it’s like the walk the street exercise, door to door to see if they play music that’s when they go in and see how many speakers. And the lowest like small shops they pay about $95 – $95”.

The FPRA is mandated under the Fiji Copyright Law of 1999 and the amendment copyright decree of 2009.