Local singer Le Quyen and Viet Tan Studio on October 26 submitted an accusation letter to concerned agencies, accusing a number of local music websites of violating their songs’ copyright.

According to lawyer Le Quang Vy, representing the accusers, the sites (mp3.zing.vn, nhaccuatui.com, musicmusic.vn, music.go.vn, hcm.nhac.vui.vn and teenpro.vn) have used a number of songs performed by Quyen and recorded by Viet Tan Studio without permission.

The lawyer also added that under current regulations, the penalty for using works of a performer without permission ranges from VND200 million (US$9,598) to VND300 million (US$14,397) while the fine for illegally using studio records for commercial purposes is from VND 30 million (US$1,440) to VND50 million (US$2,399).

In addition, he informed that three other websites ringtunes.com.vn, funring.vn and imuzik.com.vn managed by Vega Corporation that have earlier been accused of similar violations, have reached a settlement with the singer and studio on the compensation rate.

In related news, it was reported last month that Coca-Cola and Samsung have withdrawn their ads from zing.vn to oppose copyright violations on the site.

According to the Associated Press, the companies stopped working with the website after AP alerted them to concerns about the website, which the newswire called “notorious for providing unlicensed downloads of Western and local songs.”