The Copyright Review Commission that was appointed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, in November 2010 to review the concerns raised by the music industry regarding the collection and distribution of royalties to artists, has concluded its work and presented its report to Minister Davies.
The six-member Commission, which is chaired by a retired judge, Judge Ian Farlam started operating in February 2011. The report is still under consideration and will be released to the public in due course.
The Commission originates from the anti-piracy campaign that was launched by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Thandi Tobias-Pokolo in September 2010 after the creative industry, in particular musicians, met with President Gedleyihlekisa Jacob Zuma to highlight their plight. The anti-piracy campaign was divided into three legs namely, anti-piracy awareness campaign, Copyright Review Commission and Formalisation of the industry.
Soon after its establishment the Commission published its Terms of Reference and also made a call for the public to comment. In addition to the invitation for written comments, the Commission held public hearings in the following cities: Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Potchefstroom, Johannesburg and Durban.
Members of the Commission also undertook international bench-marking exercise by visiting seven foreign countries to obtain comparative material to assist the Commission to make recommendations based on international best practice. Meetings were also held and information obtained from key stakeholders in the industry such as collecting societies, broadcast associations, record companies, network operators, musicians and TV and radio stations.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
