Currently there is a huge threat to the existance of group exercise in Australia as PPCA makes a move to increase music tariffs (the royalty fee that is paid for the privilege of using music in group fitness classes). Therefore Operation M.U.S.I.C. has been an initiative created by Fitness Australia to fight this proposed increase, but is relying on funding and donations for the cause.
The PPCA have recently won a case against the nightclub industry and are now currently trying to propose extreme increases in the amount paid in copyright fees for group fitness classes. For more information check out operationmusic.org.au.
The worrying thing about all this is that the result in Australia could set a precedence worldwide. If they win this case in Australia which has a relatively small jurisdiction, this could be a precursor to a huge threat to group fitness worldwide.
For this reason at groupfitness.org I am now trying to increase awareness by auctioning 3 Les Mills clothing items, signed by Dan & Rach (BODYCOMBAT choreographers) with proceeds being donated directly to Operation M.U.S.I.C. To check out the clothing go to groupfitness.org and the items will be auctioned via ebay with the auction commencing May 1st 2008.
I would love everybody's help in promoting this cause, so if you have websites or blogs please feel free to link to Operation M.U.S.I.C. and the auction at groupfitness.org.
help fight unfair copyright fees - groupfitness.org