Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)ESTEPONA town hall has been fined almost 20,000 euros for playing recorded music at ferias without paying royalties.
A Malaga judge ruled in favour of the Spanish intellectual property rights agency (SGAE) in the dispute concerning public events and ferias between 2005 and 2007.
Already struggling with mountains of unpaid debts, the 18,966.68 euros fine is the last thing the council needs.
Mayor David Valadez described the decision as “a blow” for the town’s funds.
The town hall has racked up an estimated 40 million euros of debts over the last year in unpaid bills to suppliers.
dang sweet info dude.
the trouble with the music rights law its like everything in Spain a grey area and not enforcered very well or even expalin very well. Yes the Town Hall of Estepona has been hit but for everyone caught and fined there are 1000 that get away with it scott free.
I have been having a running battle with AGEDI who are another music royalties rights companies for 7 years. When i first came to Spain i paid the first year and then found out nobody else in my area was paying it so stopped. They keep saying they will take me to court etc but nothing happens and i am willing to pay it if they show me everyone else is. Its bad enough being a victim for following the law everyday when all around me break it but this for me is one bill too much and as it wasnt a bill from the Town Hall, Police, tax office or Junta why should i pay it?