A copyright dispute over music usage in cafes and restaurants is escalating in Vietnam's food service industry. As it becomes clear that separate copyright fees are required for playing music in establishments, concerns among business owners are growing, while opinions among Vietnamese netizens are divided.
According to a report by VnExpress on June 15, many major cafes and beverage franchises in Ho Chi Minh City utilize popular playlists from online streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music for in-store music. Some owners, who pay a monthly subscription fee of 65,000 dong (about $3), believed they could use the music without restrictions. However, the terms of service for these platforms only allow personal and non-commercial use.
Music in Cafes Considered 'Commercial Use'... Debate Over Fees
Experts explain that playing music in cafes and restaurants is not merely for personal enjoyment but constitutes commercial use that supports business operations. Attorney Dao Tien Phong stated, "When cafes play music, they are subject to copyright and recording rights regulations, which creates an obligation to pay fees."
Under current Vietnamese regulation 17/2023, annual copyright fees vary based on the size of the cafe. For establishments under 15 square meters, the fee is 885,500 dong; for 30 square meters, it is 2,403,500 dong; for 50 square meters, it is 4,427,500 dong; and for 100 square meters, it can reach up to 9,487,500 dong. The maximum annual fee is set at 2,024,000 dong.
Some business owners are expressing concerns about the additional financial burden. An owner of a bubble tea shop in Ho Chi Minh City stated that for a shop larger than 30 square meters, applying all regulations would mean an annual cost of about 3 million dong, which is significant for small businesses with low profitability. He argued, "Playing music in the shop itself promotes the artists and songs, making the copyright fee unfair."
The article has sparked a variety of reactions among Vietnamese netizens. One of the most supported comments suggested that playing classical guitar could enhance music appreciation and elevate people's musical standards. Another user questioned the fairness of requiring additional fees while artists gain fame and advertising revenue from free content on YouTube.
However, there are also opinions suggesting that the copyright fee burden should not be a concern. One netizen remarked, "You can just not play music," and suggested that if profits are low, closing the business might be an option. Another added, "If copyright fees are a burden, then perhaps running a cafe isn't the right choice."
Some users proposed AI-generated music as an alternative. They argued, "Just create music using AI," and suggested that if fees continue, cafes might opt for AI music instead. Others noted that music may not be necessary at all, with one user stating, "Customers come not to listen to music but to talk with friends," and added that many prefer a quiet atmosphere or can listen to their own music through headphones.
Meanwhile, this controversy reflects a broader debate in Vietnamese society about balancing the protection of music creators' rights with the financial burdens faced by small business owners. Experts analyze that the food service industry is gradually moving toward a compliance management system that includes copyright considerations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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