Copyright Tribunals

Structure of the Copyright Tribunals

There is a President to the Copyright Tribunals, as well as two Deputy Presidents and up to 15 members. Either the President or a Deputy President may preside over a Tribunal that is formed, and each Tribunal will consist of three members.

The current President of the Copyright Tribunals is Edwin San, Registrar / District Judge, State Courts of Singapore. (See the membership of the Copyright Tribunals.)

Jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunals

The Tribunals are empowered to:

• Resolve disputes relating to licences and licence schemes in relation to a work or other subject matter;

• Ascertain the royalty payable for the recording of musical works and, where applicable, apportion the royalty in respect of a record;

• Determine what constitutes "equitable remuneration" for the right to film artistic works for permitted broadcasts or cable programmes;

• Determine what constitutes "equitable remuneration" for the making available to the public of a sound recording through a non-interactive digital audio transmission;

• Determine what constitutes "equitable remuneration" payable by educational institutions when they use copyright materials within the permissible limits allowed under the Copyright Act; and

• Determine the terms on which the Singapore Government can use copyright material.

The Tribunals have the power to refer to the High Court any matter that comes before it for the determination on a point of law. This may be done on its own volition or at the request of any party to the matter.

Resolving a dispute with the Copyright Tribunals

The procedure for applications to be made to a Tribunal is set out in the Copyright Tribunals (Procedure) Regulations 2021.

The Tribunal will consider the application and, after giving the parties an opportunity to present their cases, shall issue an order.

Secretariat of the Copyright Tribunals

IPOS is the Secretariat and assists with the administration of the Copyright Tribunals.

Please submit your forms to the Secretariat via email to Copyright@ipos.gov.sg. You can expect to receive payment instructions via email after we receive your submission.

Alternatively, you may submit your forms in person. Please inform the Secretariat of your intention to do so at least one working day in advance to ensure that you will be attended to promptly. You may submit your form in person at the following time and place:

A Practical Guide to the Copyright Tribunals

The Copyright Tribunals in Singapore provide a quick, informal, and cost-effective solution to resolving licensing disputes without going through litigation. Find out more about how to use the Copyright Tribunals, including how to start a case and what happens after a case is filed here.