FIPRA presents synchronization rights royalty payment to family of composer Yaminiasi Gaunavou

The Fiji Performing Rights Association has paid the synchronization rights royalty for the song “Era Bini Tu” to Seini Gaunavou, the daughter of the late FIPRA member and composer, Yaminiasi Gaunavou.

FIPRA says they are happy to inform the public on how the music and copyright industry continue to contribute towards the economic growth of Fiji, whose global average was determined by the World Intellectual Property Organization to be 5.54 percent of the GDP in 2021.

They say on the 24th of May this year, FIPRA received a query from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean) was hosting the 4th International SIDS Conference the following week and have requested authorization for the Youth Orchestra there to play “Era Bini Tu” for the delegations and the international community.

The Association says whilst Kabani performed the song “Era Bini Tu”, the composer was Yaminiasi Gaunivou, who was a member of FIPRA.

They add that the song was registered under them. FIPRA says they administer the copyright of songs on behalf of the composer, and Gaunavou has assigned all his rights to the FIPRA administration.

They say FIPRA’s current license fee for this application, called the Synchronization Rights (as it will be an audiovisual work shown on TV and the internet), is US$1,000 per 30 seconds or part thereof.

They further say that an example is when the US Pacific Fleet in 2022 requested the use of the song “Ono Na Maile”, composed by the late Ratu Isireli Racule, and paid a rate of US$1,000 per 30 seconds or part thereof.

The Association adds that also in 2022, the Japan Defense Force requested the use of 2 songs: “Bula Maleya”, composed by Isireli Racule, and “Noqu I Tau”, composed by the late Eremodo Tuni and Isimeli Loga and paid the rate of US$1,000 per 30 seconds or part thereof.

FIPRA says the Government of Antigua and Barbuda agreed to pay the rate for the Youth Orchestra to play 31 seconds of “Era Bini Tu” as part of a medley.

They say FIPRA permitted them to perform the song for 31 seconds, and the amount paid by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda was US$2,000 (approximately FJ$4,403.35).