The Music Copyright Society of China has begun to charge Shanghai hotels royalties for background music.

　　The society may also require shopping malls and supermarkets to pay for music, a representative said yesterday.

　　"Whoever broadcasts music, except for personal use, should pay a copyright fee - it is the international norm," said Fang Fang, MCSC Shanghai representative.

　　"The first step for us is to sign agreements with four-star and above hotels for broadcasting background music."

　　Fang said the fee is 2.8 yuan (34 US cents) a room each month. A hotel with 350 rooms has to pay about 10,000 yuan a year for background music.

　　About 13 hotels in Shanghai have signed agreements to pay the royalties.

　　All are foreign hotels or joint ventures, including Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao, Shanghai JC Mandarin, Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hilton Hotel Shanghai, Four Seasons Hotel, Hotel Equatorial Shanghai, Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai, Crowne Plaza Shanghai, Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel, Courtyard Shanghai Pudong, the St Regis Shanghai and Shanghai JW Marriott Hotel.

　　"Shanghai has more than 60 four-star and above hotels. We will get in touch with them one by one. Hotels operated by foreign investors are easier to talk with as they are more aware of copyright," Fang said.

　　She expects most hotels will finally agree to pay because the price is reasonable and some hotels have taken the lead.

　　After premium hotels, their three-star counterparts in Shanghai will also be asked to pay.

　　Then MCSC will target shopping malls and supermarkets.

　　Zhao Renrong, Shanghai Tourism Association's official responsible for hotel business and who has helped in the negotiation, said the biggest barrier is people's awareness.