An interesting piece of news crossed my computer screen today that immediately made me think of my bellydance buddies here at Hip Mix. According to Hip Muzik, the Australian Copyright Tribunal has raised its fees for music used during fitness classes. And we're not just talking circus peanuts here. The fee went from 96.8 cents per class to $15 DOLLARS per class (or $1 per attendee). That must have been one heck of a case filed by the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia)!  Click here to read the entire story. 

So my warning is this: watch out Aussie bellydancers because THIS MEANS YOU!! Rumblings have been felt by some instructors already, hinting at the fact that they're really cracking down. And to my friends in other countries, keep your antennae raised for changes in legislation. While each country may have different laws on the books and different organizations governing them, there is no question that they are sharing and comparing notes. The whole "ignorance of the law" excuse probably isn't going to fly with the feds either.

And please don't get me started again on burning, sharing or even selling the music to friends and class memebers... I think my head will pop!  If you don't know what I am talking about, read more here Burning & Sharing Your Belly Dance Music? It Could Cost You Thousands!