Feb 19, 2026 | Karaoke Copyright Infringement

Karaoke Copyright Infringement

1. Karaoke has always been widely popular, enjoyed by both young people and the elderly. However, while having fun, it’s important to be aware of the following: Does singing karaoke in a party room violate copyright laws?

2. Generally speaking, karaoke services include streaming songs, music, and videos (Products). If the owner creates a work using independent skill, judgment and labour, it will be protected by the Hong Kong Copyright Ordinance, Chapter 528. If a user plays a product without the copyright owner’s authorization, they may be infringing on copyright law.

Home Karaoke

3. However, the above laws do not apply to users of home karaoke or commercial karaoke. In other words, playing unauthorized songs, music, and videos at home does not constitute copyright infringement. Similarly, customers enjoying karaoke in a party room do not need to worry about copyright infringement. Hong Kong’s copyright laws focus more on commercial infringement activities.

Commercial Karaoke

4. If unauthorized content is played in a party room, the following individuals should be wary, as they may infringe on copyright and face civil and criminal liability:

(a) The licensee and person in charge of the venue;
(b) Employees (if they know that the product has not been authorized by the copyright holder).

5. In criminal matters, if convicted of copyright infringement, the defendant will not only have a criminal record and be fined (with a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 per infringing item), but may also be imprisoned (with a maximum penalty of 4 years).

6. Regarding civil liability, the copyright owner or their authorized representative can sue the infringer and apply to the court for injunctions, disclosure orders, destruction orders, damage orders, and costs orders. If sued, the infringer may also have to pay the copyright owner substantial legal fees.

Implied Indemnity

7. The most justified course for businessmen operating karaoke establishments is to participate in franchise schemes (i.e., Licensing Schemes) under Section 146 of Chapter 528 of the Copyright Ordinance. Merchants only need to purchase licenses from suitable franchises for the program (i.e., Licensing Bodies), and they will receive the right to “Implied Indemnity”. The implied indemnity means that when someone claims copyright infringement to the merchant, the merchant can transfer the responsibility to the Licensing Body concerned. Simply put, the merchant can forward the copyright infringement claim to the franchise. Of course, the businessman has to select the correct franchised authority in the “Intellectual Property Department” registration.

8. To ensure peace of mind in business operations and for customers to enjoy their services, karaoke business owners should actively participate in the above franchise programs.