Justifying Music Payment in Indonesia (Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper, No. 25-12), 2025, 30
As the world grapples with social polarization and the erosion of democratic institutions, the stakes are higher than ever. Despite these urgent challenges, in Indonesia, the future continues to be predominantly framed in economic terms. Consider the legislative priorities of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI): artists, art, and culture remain sidelined, seen as 'weak' or 'less relevant' portfolios. They are notably absent from both major global and national frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Deal, and the Democracy Action Plan. This article examines the issue of music remuneration in Indonesia through the lens of the proposed Indonesian Music Law, which has since been withdrawn from the DPR RI's legislative agenda. It focuses on remuneration rights for musicians on ondemand music streaming platforms, with particular attention to the transparency of payment provisions and their alignment with Gotong Royong, the Indonesian principle of communal cooperation. Analysing the structure of the domestic streaming industry, the article identifies key barriers to equitable remuneration and the need for a more transparent system. Drawing on comparative legislative developments in the European Union and the United States, it explores the potential for collective agreements and data-driven approaches to improve fairness in music streaming payments. It further argues for a distinction between featured and non-featured performers, and advocates for an empirical study into the viability of a user-centric remuneration model.
