Government Offers Free Registration for 19 Types of Copyright, including Songs, Speeches, and Computer Programs

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government through the Ministry of Law (Kemenkum) has set the recording fee for 19 types of copyright at Rp 0, effectively making it free of charge.

Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas stated that this decision stems from the issuance of a decree by the Finance Minister regarding non-tax state revenue tariffs.

Subsequently, he sent a letter to the Finance Minister advocating for the implementation of a zero fee for the 19 types of copyright during the validity of the Copyright Law.

"We proposed this to be set at Rp 0, and thankfully, through the Finance Minister's Letter Number S-360/MK/AG/2026 dated October 21, 2026, the registration of creations and related rights, as laid out in Article 40, paragraph (1) of Law Number 28 of 2014 on Copyright, covers 19 items," said Supratman during a press conference at the Graha Pengayoman, Jakarta, on Monday (26/10/2026).

Supratman urged the public to register their works in light of the new policy.

"So ladies and gentlemen, this is a commitment from the state to ensure that the ecosystem related to copyright truly develops," he remarked.

Supratman also mentioned that this policy would impact state revenue reduction, necessitating a cross-subsidy mechanism.

"We will encourage measures to offset state revenue; hopefully, in 2027, the anticipated increase from copyright can be compensated by enhancing revenue from patent licensing," he explained.

"Thus, the patents, being the largest source of non-tax state revenue in the Ministry of Law—especially within the Directorate General of Intellectual Property—could fulfill those needs," he added.

Here are the 19 types of copyright now charged at Rp 0:

1. books, pamphlets, published literary works, and all other forms of written works.

2. lectures, classes, speeches, and other similar creations.

3. teaching aids created for educational and scientific purposes.

4. songs and/or music, with or without lyrics.

5. drama, musicals, dance, choreography, puppet shows, and pantomime.