Official website links end with .gov.sg
Dated: 26 September 2003
In a move that will bring about savings of $2.6 million for the local film and video industry, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has effectively reduced licence fees by up to 50 per cent and video certification fees by 20 per cent for the film and video industry.
The MDA is doing this through its new composite license schemes, which will help the industry during the current economic season and are part of the MDA's continuing effort to address the concerns of the industry and to remain pro-business. The new licenses come into effect on 1 October 2003.
The MDA unveiled details of the pro-business effort, part of its continuing efforts to address the concerns of the industry, at briefings for industry players recently. The schemes were also announced by the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts at the Media21 Forum on 8 July.
The "composite" video licence will cover one or more of the activities of importing, making and distributing videos. It will also address all distribution outlets owned by the same company. The reduced licence fees amount to a 20 per cent saving for an annual licence and savings of 33 per cent for a triennial licence. Under the new scheme, only a single security deposit of $20,000 is required, regardless of the number of business activities and distribution outlets. The video certificate fee will also be reduced from $1.00 to $0.80 per certificate.
The changes will also benefit cinema operators. For example, a cineplex with multiple screens will now only require a single licence and security deposit, instead of linking licences and security deposits to the number of screens. Fee reductions for cinema operators will lead to savings of 13 per cent for an annual licence and 20 per cent for a five-year licence. The total amount required for security deposits will also be reduced by 20 per cent to $20,000.
"This revision reflects our ongoing effort to ensure that our regulatory framework is conducive for business growth and innovation. It is an extension of the strategies that we unveiled in our Media21 blueprint. By lowering business costs, we help businesses stay competitive and viable. A pro-growth regulatory framework provides the foundation and environment for our strategies to grow the media industry. This takes us a step closer to our vision of Singapore as a vibrant global media city under our Media21 blueprint," said Mr Lim Hock Chuan, the Chief Executive Officer of the MDA.
Details of the existing and new scheme are available at Annex A.
________________________________________________________________________________
Annex A
SYMMARY OF CURRENT AND NEW FEES
|
Current Licence
|
New Licence Scheme
(wef 1 October 2003) |
Benefits
|
|
| Video (General) Licence | |||
| Details |
Individual Licence for each business activity &outlet engaged in :- • Importing |
A Single Licence for each business covering :- |
Savings in time, licence fee and security amount for multiple licences |
| Fees &Validity | • $1,500 (2 years) | • $600 (1 year) • $1,500 (3 years) |
At least 33% savings in triennial licence fees |
| Security Deposit | • $20,000 for each business activity or outlet | • $20,000 regardless of number of activities or outlets | More than 50% savings for operators with more than 2 outlets or business activities |
| Video (Temporary) Licence | |||
| Fees &Validity | • $6 per day • $125 per month |
• $6 per day • $100 per month |
20% savings in monthly licence fees |
| Security Deposit | • $5,000 | • $5,000 |
|
| Video Licence to Import or Make Videos solely for Export | |||
| Fees &Validity | • $1,500 (2 years) | • $350 (1 year) • $1,000 (3 years) |
55% savings in triennial licence fees |
| Security Deposit | • $20,000 | • $10,000 | 50% savings |
| Video Certificate Fee | |||
| Fees | • $1.00 per certificate | • $0.80 per certificate | 20% savings |
| Film Licence - R(A) &NC-16 films | |||
| Details | Film Licence is required for cinema screening of R(A) and NC-16 films for each exhibition point | Film Licence is required for cinema screening of R(A) and NC-16 films for each operating address/location | Savings in time, licence fee and security amount for multiple licences for the same location |
| Fees &Validity | • $750 (1 year) | • $650 (1 year) • $3,000 (5 years) |
Savings of at least 13% - 20% for each exhibition location |
| Security Deposit | • $20,000 (Security Deposit) • $5,000 (Performance Bond) |
• $20,000 (Performance Bond) |
20% savings in total security amount required |
| Monthly Temporary Licence (Film) | |||
| Fees &Validity | • $125 per month | • $100 per month | 20% savings in monthly licence fees |
| Security Deposit | • $5,000 (Security Deposit) • $5,000 (Performance Bond) |
• $10,000 (Performance Bond) |
|
| Film Licence - R(A) &NC-16 films (e.g. hotels, country/recreation clubs, cultural organizations) |
|||
| Fees &Validity | • $1,500 (2 years) | • $600 (1 year) • $1,500 (3 years) |
At least 33% savings in triennial licence fees |
| Security Deposit | • $20,000 (Security Deposit) |
• $20,000 (Performance Bond) |
|
Click here for the Film (Licensing &Classificatin) Regulations 2003.
