The South African Minister of Trade and Industry has created a Commission chaired by a judge to review the distribution of royalties by collecting societies in South Africa.
The Commission is calling for submissions, due by 31 March 2011. If you are an author, a musician a movie maker or a someone who pays collecting societies then this is the first opportunity in decades to be heard on this issue.
The call for submissions is here.
The terms of reference for the commission are here. Film makers shouldn’t think that there concerns are outside the terms of reference. According to the terms of reference “CRC should assess, advise and make recommendations on how the collective management of copyright can be improved.” That there is no collective management of copyright in South African films is precisely because of the problematic practices of the public broadcaster and is thus within the competence of the commission.
Librarians and academics should also respond, agreements with universities are specifically mentioned.
Submission should made using this form.
