On behalf of whose half

The fees karaoke bars have paid for music they use should undoubtedly go to musicians. But half of the fees collected now is pocketed by the Chinese Association of Audio/Video Copyright Management.

In the three years since the association initiated the collection in the name of intellectual property protection in 2007, 170 million yuan ($24.9 million) has been collected from karaoke bars in 26 provinces and autonomous regions. But musicians haven't received a penny. The association reported from its meeting held earlier this week that it will give half of the collected money to musicians.

As to why the association pocketed the other half, its authorities say that the costs are high for the collection of the fees. But it fails to clarify how high the costs are.