With a recent decision (13 March 2015) the three-Member Misdemeanors Court of Serres in northern Greece abrogated the arraignment against 156 owners of food and drinks establishments who were accused for not having paid copyright fees to AEPI, the major Greek Collective Management Organisation, for music public performance in their shops during the year 2012.
According to information confirmed by Deputy CEO of AEPI, the decision was founded in formal omissions related with the bill of indictment, since the necessary evidence proving copyright infringement was not presented.
It should be noted that AEPI issued the following press release on this occasion:
“In response to misleading and false publications according to which AEPI has sued “156” shop owners bound for payment of copyright fees for public performance of music in their shops in Serres, as well as references concerning a court decision related to the case trialed on 13th of March in the court of Serres and the supposed acquittal of them, in order to restore the truth related to the facts, we announce and inform both the public and the users of music that:
1. Only those who paid the respective copyright fees have been acquitted.
2. For the rest accused the case is pending.
It is important and necessary for these shop owners to arrange their respective legal obligations until the next court date in order to be released as well.
In any case, misleading information given out by the Press concerning sensitive legal issues is in the interests of neither the users of music works, who are bound by similar obligations nor the creators and the harmonious collaboration with AEPI; it is not in the interests of our culture in general.
From the Press office of AEPI”
Sources:
http://www.real.gr/DefaultArthro.aspx?page=arthro&id=401844&catID=3
http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=22768&subid=2&pubid=64158708
http://www.aepi.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=916&Itemid=137