Recently there has been much controversy surrounding music copyright, with multiple disputes between performers and composers igniting the music industry. Now another dispute has emerged involving veteran musician Keenan Nasution and singer Vidi Aldiano over the latter’s signature song “Nuansa Bening.”
The song in question was first released in 1978 and featured in the album Di Batas Angan-Angan. Written by Keenan Nasution and Rudi Pekerti, the song has since become one of the iconic tracks of Indonesian pop. In 2008, the then up-and-coming Vidi Aldiano covered the song as the lead single of his debut album Pelangi di Malam Hari, which helped him rise to fame and success.
According to Keenan Nasution’s representatives, Vidi Aldiano’s father approached Keenan to ask for permission to record the song through his own label, Suara Hati. However, after that initial request, there was no further communication, neither from Vidi himself, his management, nor his label to Keenan or Rudi Pekerti, the original authors and copyright holders of the song.
Fast-forward to July 2024, Vidi Aldiano’s version of the song was used in a commercial. This prompted Keenan to contact Vidi Aldiano’s management. In response, Vidi’s team offered a one-time payment of Rp 50 million as a “token of appreciation.” Keenan rejected the offer and instead requested a full report on the song’s usage since 2008.
In August 2024, Keenan’s team claimed they discovered metadata irregularities on streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. The listed label was VA Records not Suara Hati, and VA Records was incorrectly credited as songwriter. Neither Keenan nor Rudi had ever worked with VA Records.
Despite three meetings between Keenan’s team and Vidi’s representatives in November 2024, no resolution was reached. By May 2025, Keenan Nasution filed a civil lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court under case number 51/Pdt Sus-HKI/Cipta/2025/PN Niaga Jkt., alleging unauthorized commercial use of the song. The lawsuit demands Rp 24.5 billion in damages.
The first court hearing in May 2025 was postponed due to Vidi and his legal team’s absence. On the same day, Vidi’s version of “Nuansa Bening” was taken down from Spotify. A second hearing a month later also saw no appearance from Vidi, prompting the court to proceed without his defense. According to Keenan’s lawyer, Minola Sebayang, a third absence could result in a default judgment (verstek).
Music Licensing Under Indonesian Copyright Law
While the facts are still under judicial review, the case sheds light on how copyright licensing in Indonesia functions under Law No. 28 of 2014 on Copyright.
Under Article 1 point 2, an Author is defined as an individual or group who produces unique creative works. In this case, Keenan Nasution and Rudi Pekerti are the Authors of “Nuansa Bening.” Their creation is protected under both moral and economic rights.
- Moral rights (Article 5) include the right to be credited, to maintain the integrity of the work, and to protect it from distortion.
- Economic rights (Articles 8 and 9) grant exclusive control to publish, perform, distribute, and reproduce the work, among others.
A core concept under Indonesia’s IP law is licensing, which must be granted in a written agreement (Articles 80–83). Authors are also entitled to royalties (Article 1 point 21) for any commercial use of their work.
In cases such as commercial cover songs or performances, a proper copyright license must be obtained from the original copyright holders. Failure to do so can constitute copyright infringement under Indonesian law, which may result in both civil damages and criminal penalties (Article 113) including fines up to IDR 1 billion and imprisonment.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal dispute between Vidi Aldiano and Keenan Nasution highlights the critical importance of respecting copyright ownership in Indonesia’s creative industry. This case illustrates that every creative work whether old or new remains protected under the law and carries both personal and economic significance for its original authors.
For creators, maintaining control over the use of their work and ensuring proper attribution and compensation are fundamental rights protected by Indonesian Copyright Law. For users, particularly those engaging in commercial activities, it is essential to obtain clear written licenses and understand the legal obligations surrounding intellectual property use.
As this case continues to unfold in court, it serves as a valuable reminder for all parties to approach copyrighted materials with caution and responsibility. Should you require legal support or consultation regarding copyright, licensing, or other intellectual property matters in Indonesia, our team at ambadar@ambadar.co.id is ready to assist you with trusted expertise.
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Written and reviewed by Nabil Argya
