TIPO Announces Review Decision on ACMA Music Royalty Rates for Hotel Rooms and Hospital Wards

WISECODE Take

The Intellectual Property Office issued Decision No. 11560016211 on October 7, 2026, clarifying the misconception that playing music in guest rooms or wards would lead to exorbitant royalties. Initiated by Nine TAI Technologies Co., Ltd. under Article 25 of the Copyright Collective Management Organization Act, the review targeted the royalty rates of the Asia-Pacific Music Collective Management Association (ACMA). The final ruling set the rate at NT$25 per room per year for hotel rooms and hospital wards, including lobbies and corridors. This decision provides a clear valuation basis for copyright licensing, much like setting a predictable financial budget for fixed corporate costs. For small and medium-sized hotels or clinics, the risk of facing high royalty claims is significantly reduced, though this rate explicitly excludes independent areas like restaurants and gyms. We suggest that operators first calculate their annual budget based on the NT$25 per room standard, and second, ensure that independent spaces like in-house restaurants obtain separate licensing if they play non-public broadcast music. Clear statutory rates guarantee that enterprises can maintain precise financial budget control under compliant operations.