Royalties authority accused of unfair tariffs for wedding music
Body charged with abuse of dominant position
The National Competition Committee (CNC) is investigating the General Society for Authors and Editors (SGAE), the main body responsible for collecting artists' royalties in Spain, for the possible charging of unfair tariffs at wedding ceremonies, its president has told Congress. Luis Berenguer said the CNC had begun a disciplinary inquiry against SGAE for alleged abuse of its dominant position when it comes to fixing the price of royalties for music played at traditional wedding dances.
The process is the result of a complaint against SGAE made by three restaurants in January this year. SGAE believes no reason exists for the investigation because a precedent was set for the issue back in a 2005 inquiry. SGAE has been the target of an intense campaign by anti-copyright activists.
