Karenza L

Establishment License fees

I am all for fair usage policy and I understand the concept BUT my establishment is a Self catering venue, this means: I do not supply music the DJ my client has hired for their event supplies the music and gets paid for that service. If I play music it is ambiance background music. SAMRO you want to charge me R8 000 in 2023 for a licence?????????? my Liquor license is R2 500 per year for my venue - I feel this is 100% fair I make the money for the service that I provide. HOW???? 2022 my charge was R391.23 for the exact same establishment? If and when an artist Wishes to play at my establishment, I charge them 20% of their ticket sales for VENUE HIRE!!! They make the money! HOW does this all make sense? You want to take legal action because you say it is law for me to have this license - my question.... is it LAW that ALL musicians must be members of SAMRO? this is a real question I don't know? or is it a choice? If it is a choice - please provide me with an updated list of all artists that is your members so that I can put in my documentation that their music is not allowed to be played in my establishment. I the client wishes to play their music they must apply for a temporary or events lisence. My venue only opened it's doors when covid ended we are trying to find our feet! You are cutting off our feet from under us! I am more than willing to pay the R400 license fee BUT not R8 000.