The China Audio-Video Copyright Association has submitted complaints to seven courts in Beijing, naming 100 KTV outlets including The Same Song, In The Mood Of Love and Hi-5 as defendants in the copyright cases.

As the legal karaoke copyright overseer in China, CAVAC sent a notice to the first batch of about 300 KTVs to pay the karaoke copyright royalty in late September this year, warning that KTV operators should pay the fees on their own initiative before October 10, 2008.

A representative from CAVAC says that the association expects the impending lawsuits will force those who have delayed to pay the karaoke copyright royalty very soon. The association will continue with the lawsuits until all the karaoke operators in Beijing pay the fees, and in the future more KTV outlets will be targeted.

According to local media reports, less than 20 karaoke operators of the total 1,000 have paid the karaoke copyright royalties.