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Copyright Review Commission to be Artists Voice

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South African artists, who have long grappled with the issue of the mishandling of their royalties, will now have a chance to voice their grievances – and the Department of Trade and Industry says it is ready and willing to listen.

Artists have raised concerns that their royalties are not properly distributed to the rightful owners of copyright by collecting societies.

The dti is now urging members of the creative industry and public to submit their views and recommendations to the Copyright Review Commission (CRC) at the department’s building in Meintjies street, Sunnyside, Pretoria.

The CRC was formed by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and is led by retired Judge Ian Farlam. The commission will look at and make recommendations on various aspects of the concerns.

These include how collecting societies work, contracts that exist in the industry, percentages of royalties that are distributed locally and internationally, as well as issues relating to downloading of music through mobile phones and ringtones.

The CRC started operating last month and will run until July. It will hold public hearings in April, but dates and venues are yet to be announced.

The DTI is encouraging all relevant stakeholders to participate in the process so solutions can be found to the problems that SA’s artists confront.

Comments must be submitted to the department by 31 March at the Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division (CCRD), 1st Floor, Block B, Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria.

Comments can also be mailed to P/Bag X 84, Pretoria, 0001 or faxed to 012 394 2506 or alternatively emailed to crc@thedti.gov.za. – Nthambeleni Gabara, BuaNews

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.