Plagued by piracy: The cover of newly released album18+, which contains songs by composer Huy Tuan and singer Van Mai Huong and is the subject of the most recent cases of copyright violation. — Photo vietgiaitri.com

HA NOI (VNS)— Composers are raising their voices against copyright violations, the most recent involving album 18+, containing songs by composer Huy Tuan and singer Van Mai Huong.

The album was officially released on Saturday and as early as the next morning it was posted on various music sites, including nhac.vui.vn and x.zone.vn.

"We even introduced 100 CD sample copies during the press conference," Tuan said angrily, "yet the whole content of the album was posted on many sites without our permission."

The sites removed the albums after he threatened to sue them.

Singer Huong intended to release the album via the internet by co-operating with music websites so listeners would have to pay whenever downloading her songs.

"I accept the fact that my album may reach smaller audiences, who are willing to pay money for my voice and my labour," said Huong.

The case is one of many involving music copyright violations which are annoying composers and singers.

Earlier this year, singer Thai Thuy Linh announced that eight music websites had violated copyright on her album Bo Doi (Soldiers). At the time, the Viet Nam Centre for Protecting Music Copyright stood up to protect her interests.

Composer Anh Quan sympathised with Tuan and Huong, saying the problem was widespread in Viet Nam.

"Art is not free but violations still happen every day, everywhere," Quan said. "In the past, when the internet was not so popular, our original CDs were taken to China for copying illegally and then brought back to Viet Nam to sell."

Quan complained that composers had complained to the agencies concerned and got nowhere.

"If we don't have proper legal articles and don't punish the violators seriously, the problem will affect our long-term music development," he said.

Composer Luu Thien Huong said she always advise the copyright centre so it could check and fine violators.

"I think the best solution for composers is to set up their own companies to control their music works," she said. "If they don't they'll have to live with the problems."

Singer Thanh Lam wanted to call on what she called a "civilised" audience for help.

"Besides concerned agencies with strong solutions to prevent violations, each music lover, if he or she respects an artist's labour, will buy copyright CDs and pay money whenever downloading our works," she said.

"That's the most valuable driving force for us to make further contributions."

Meanwhile, game show The Voice, broadcast widely on Viet Nam Television, has also been criticised for allegedly violated copyrights. Contestants Thao Nhi and My Hoan, of singer/coach Hong Nhung's team in the Battle Round, performed Chay Mua (Seeking Shelter in Rain), a song by composer Toan Thang, without asking for his permission.

Singer Nguyen Dinh Thanh Tam bought the exclusive copyright of the song in April to produce video clips and CDs.

Composer Giang Son also expressed discontent after her song Thu Can (End of Autumn) was performed widely in various reality television shows, after singer Nguyen Thao had bought the exclusive copyright of the song.

Viet Nam Idol 2010 Uyen Linh also performed Duong Cong (Curving Lines) by composer Nguyen Hai Phong during the show, despite singer Thu Minh having bought the exclusive copyright to the song.

A representative from the copyright protection centre explained that TV shows and performers "should seek permission and pay copyright fees to the composers before using their music pieces". — VNS