The Copyright Tribunal has advised Fitness Australia that it will deliver its judgement on the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA)'s proposed revision of the Fitness Industry Tariff on 17 May.

PPCA, the industry body representing the major record labels, has applied to the Copyright Tribunal for a 4,000 per cent increase in the fees gyms and facilities pay to play copyright-protected music in exercise classes. The fear is that, if this increase is approved in Australia, music licensing bodies in other countries will make similar applications.

Fitness Australia is developing guidelines on how businesses can continue to play music without the need to hold or maintain a PPCA licence. These guidelines will be available free of charge to all contributors to the Operation M.U.S.I.C campaign.

US-based trade association IHRSA is also involved in the fight, galvanising the industry on a global basis to fight the possible rises and protect club profits.