Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) calls out Twitter for not paying copyright fees for the use of K-Pop songs

On July 23, the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) called out the SNS platform Twitter, claiming that the platform is benefiting from revenues earned through the global popularity of K-Pop without paying any copyright fees for the usage of K-Pop songs.

According to the KOMCA, "On Twitter, songs can be played either through videos, or live streaming. However, Twitter has never once paid any copyright fees for the usage of any Korean songs." The KOMCA further emphasized that SNS platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have negotiated fair systems for the usage of Korean songs by its users, and heavily criticized Twitter which "simply deletes any posts if users report it for illegal usage of copyrighted music."

Twitter Spaces, which is also significantly benefiting from K-Pop channels, also allows for K-Pop music to be streamed on the platform without any proper copyright purchases, the KOMCA claimed. "Music is used in a variety of different ways within Twitter. However, the platform refuses to compensate music creators for their copyrighted content," the association commented, "The KOMCA plans on taking the lead in the movement to protect the rights of our nation's musicians and artists."