The Oficina Nacional de Derecho de Autor (ONDA) released yesterday a resolution that establishes that radio and television stations, discotheques, restaurants, hotels, offices, clubs, theaters, stores and other commercial establishments will have to contribute to the Sociedad General de Autores, Compositores y Editores Dominicanos for playing music. For example, the new ruling establishes that radio stations need to pay 3% of their monthly billing and TV stations between 1.5 and 3% of their monthly billing to the society of authors, composers and Dominican editors. Discotheques and night clubs are to contribute 10% of their admission fees and 5% of their monthly billing. The rate establishes fees of between RD$300-RD$1,000 a month for piano bars. Ice cream shops, cafeterias, pizza parlors will be billed from RD$75 to RD$150 a month. Beer halls need pay RD$500, and social clubs are assigned fees of from RD$500 to RD$5,000 a month. There is skepticism as to the possibility of implementing the new ruling.
