The music industry has launched a new codes of conduct aimed at addressing the issue of piracy in the karaoke and jukebox industry.

The Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI), with support from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society (AMCOS), launched the Karaoke and Jukebox Codes of Conduct (Codes).

The MIPI said the Codes seek to level the playing field in the karaoke and jukebox industries by ensuring that “every point of the music supply chain—from music content providers to individual karaoke and jukebox operators—is kept free of rogue operators”.

The Codes will apply to all companies, businesses and individuals operating within the karaoke and jukebox industries.

“The new Codes encourage legitimate operators in the karaoke and jukebox industries to flourish while keeping rogue operators at bay,” said Sabiene Heindl, general manager of MIPI. “Many Australian karaoke and jukebox operators are small, family run businesses that simply cannot compete with pirates that use illegal music sources including the internet.”

The Codes will introduce a registration process whereby karaoke and jukebox operators can register as a legitimate operator with MIPI and receive a registration sticker to affix to the relevant jukebox or karaoke device.

In turn, licensed music content providers will only supply music to registered karaoke and jukebox operators. MIPI will regularly conduct on-the-spot visits to ensure that the Codes are being effectively implemented and take appropriate action against those using pirate music.