Written Reply by Minister Edwin Tong SC on Simplifying Music Permit Processes for Government-Sponsored Programmes at Selected Venues

6 October 2026 Posted in Parliamentary speeches and responses

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Wan Rizal (Member of Parliament for the Jalan Besar GRC)

Question
To ask the Minister for Law whether the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore can work with venue owners that are Government agencies to simplify the process and cost of obtaining permit for the use of licensed music to reduce impact on freelance coaches when conducting classes under programmes sponsored by Government agencies at these venues.

Written Answer by Minister Edwin Tong SC:

1.     Licences for the use of copyrighted music are issued by the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) and Music Rights Singapore (MRSS). Both are collective management organisations (CMOs) that collect licensing fees for, and distribute royalties to, their members: COMPASS for songwriters and lyricists, and MRSS for recording musicians.

2.     The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) regulates Singapore’s CMOs, including COMPASS and MRSS, to ensure that they meet the standards of accountability, transparency, efficiency, and good governance. Licence fees are commercially negotiated matters and not regulated or prescribed by IPOS.

3.     Agencies have facilitated support for freelance coaches where appropriate. For instance, SportSG has worked out a special rate with COMPASS for freelance coaches conducting classes at its venues, and is in ongoing discussions with MRSS on similar arrangements. IPOS has also provided information resources, such as a Guide to the CMO Class Licensing Scheme, to help users navigate licensing issues and will continue to add to these resources.

Last updated on 6 October 2026