AMPAL at the World Creator's Summit

AMPAL General Manager Jeremy Fabinyi and Board members Steve McPherson and Ian James made the long trek to Washington in June to attend the World Creators Summit. The summit is held every two years switching between Brussels and Washington and is organised by the international body representing authors' societies, CISAC.

While there, Jeremy moderated a panel on copyright developments in the BRICS countries. A video of the session can now be found here: 

http://www.creatorssummit.com/video-on-brics-what-role-can-they-play-in-the-digital-economy/

Important meetings for AMPAL Members - June 18th and 20th

All AMPAL members and their teams are invited to information sessions in Melbourne and Sydney.

The sessions will be held at the respective APRA/AMCOS offices - Melbourne June 18th and Sydney June 20th - from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

Topics for discussion include a presentation on Publishing Opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region, lyric licensing, copyright issues and  international developments. 

Music Publishers Qualify for Government Initiative

The Federal Government has ​announced that music publishers are now able to apply for Government assistance under the Enterprise Connect scheme. The scheme has been expanded to encompass the information, communications and technology sector and music publishers have been explicitly mentioned as eligible businesses.

The Enterprise Connect service begins with a business review delivered at no charge. The business review is intended to provide a snapshot of the current business strategy, and provides recommendations on areas to improve and new ways to transform.

Grant assistance, training, research and technical assistance are also available to meet individual business requirements.

To be eligible, a music publisher applying for a business review must be solvent, have revenue or expenditure of between $1.5 million and $100 million in the current financial year or one of the two preceding financial years, possess an Australian Company Number and have a trading history of at least three years.

More information can be found here: http://www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au/industrysupport/Pages/ICT.aspx​

Discounts for AMPAL members to Music Industry Events

Through our affiliation with Sounds Australia , AMPAL is pleased to announce special discounts for our members. Details can be found on our Events Page.

AMPAL members also qualify for a discount to attend the Big Sound Music conference in Brisbane on September 11-13.

AMPAL members can also take advantage of a 10% discount on the Copyright Council seminars in the ‘Working with Copyright’ series. Details on the seminars can be found here: http://www.copyright.org.au/seminars/ 

Song Summit presents Three Wise Monkeys

Three Wise Monkeys is a three day masterclass program featuring international music industry gurus: Tom Jackson on live performance, Ralph Murphy on songwriting and Ariel Hyatt on promotion.

Presented by Song Summit, Three Wise Monkeys gives participants a chance to develop their songwriting craft by having direct access to three international music industry experts in a travelling workshop program.

Touring around Australia nationally from May 24 to June 3, participants are invited to attend all three sessions over three days for $120 or pay $50 per day.

Locations:

• Perth – 24 – 26 May, State Library of Western Australia Theatre
• Brisbane – 26 – 28 May, Brisbane Powerhouse, Rooftop Terrace and Turbine Hall
• Sydney – 28 – 30 May (presented in conjunction with Vivid and JMC), JMC Academy Auditorium
• Melbourne – 30 May – 1 June, Kindred Studios, Front Space
• Adelaide – 1 – 3 June (presented with Fuse): 1 June, Adelaide Town Hall; 2 June, Jive; 3 June, Adelaide Town Hall

I made it, I own it, Please don't steal it

The National Music Council and the Music Publishers Association in the United States have launched a new website to educate kids on copyright. It's called "I made it, I own it, Please don't steal it" and is designed to encourage respect for creative work. It's video based and comes with additional resources for teachers. The website can be found here: http://imadeit.org/

UK Government gives £150,000 funding to kick-start copyright hub

The UK Government has released £150,000 worth of funding to help start a one-stop-shop online Copyright Hub, designed to make it easier for those looking to use music in the UK to get information about rights, ownership and copyright licences.

The idea for a web-based Hub geared towards simplifying the licensing process in Britain was laid out in Dr. Richard Hooper’s Government-commissioned Copyright Works Report last year and followed Professor Hargreaves' review of IP and Growth.

Details regarding the Hub can be found here.  

MusicWeek reported that twelve companies have signed on to offer services to the Hub, including music licensing companies PPL and PRS for Music. The story can be found here. 

National Cultural Policy Promises more than $200 million for the Arts

The National Cultural Policy - Creative Australia - which was launched by the former Federal Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean, will now be the responsibility of the new Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke.

The policy promises increased spending for the Arts of more than $200 million. and includes the following initiatives:

• Australia Council -  $75m (over 4 years)
• Creative Partnerships Australia - $8.6m
• Elite arts training organisations - $20.8m
  
• Indigenous languages - $14m
• Major performing arts companies (6) - $9.3m
  
• ArtsReady on-the-job arts training - $3.4m
• Creative Young Stars (grants allowance for federal MPs) - $8.1m
• Screen Australia digital and multi-platform programs - $10m
  

In addition to the increase in funding, the policy also announces plans to extend the Legal Deposit Scheme for the National Library to digital material; and  a new legal deposit scheme for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia to collect and preserve Australian audio-visual material.

In a joint press release the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfuss noted the importance of copyright to the arts community. ​"The Copyright Act 1968 needs to balance the protection of the intellectual property of creators with a digital world characterised by consumer expectations of sharing content. Copyright protection is vital for creators and businesses whose income is derived online. Copyright protection will help encourage investment and innovation in digital technologies and content." 

The current review of Australian copyright law by the ALRC and the Convergence Review will need to take into consideration the aims of Creative Australia.​

There are a number of initiatives specific to  contemporary music, though most have already been announced:

• $3 million over four years was provided in 2012 to support the contemporary music industry; including $1.75 million for SOUNDS AUSTRALIA which will grow export and domestic music markets. This funding will also assist the contemporary music industry to respond to the challenges of the digital environment, and put in place a National Live Music Coordinator to ensure the Australian live music scene continues to thrive and contribute to our export success. There will be $1.25 million to address career pathways in the contemporary music industry, which will provide a range of initiatives, including a program of residencies and training to develop song writing and performance skills of musicians.
• Regional touring programs including $0.4m for the Contemporary Music Touring Program.

The National Cultural Policy can be accessed here: http://creativeaustralia.arts.gov.au/​

Music re-titling

An interesting article that claims that the music industry is plagued by retitling of songs can be found here: http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=162511
​

NSW Governement releases its draft Action Plan for the Creative Industries

The NSW Government’s Creative Industries Taskforce has released its draft Action Plan with more than 40 recommendations to drive growth, productivity and innovation in the sector over the next decade.

The taskforce was chaired by the CEO of ARIA, Dan Rosen, and ​comprised of representatives from the worlds of design, architecture, performing arts, film & tv, publishing, fashion and advertising.

The Taskforce’s draft Industry Action Plan recommends a range of industry and government actions to strengthen the State’s creative industries over the next ten years based around five key themes:

·         Sustained NSW Government Leadership through continued engagement with the industries and recognition of the sector’s dynamism and impact;

·         A dedicated Brand and Communication strategy to elevate the industries’ achievements and profile;

·         Improving Investment and Business Development outcomes through better access to information, partnerships, and initiatives to drive research and innovation;

·         Maximising the benefits of existing and emerging Infrastructure;

·         Positioning Education and Training to attract, develop and retain talent and to align more closely with industry needs.

The plan was launched by Andrew Stoner - the Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services.

The draft Action \plan can be found here:​  http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/27213/creative_ind_action_plan_draft_20120309.pdf

Stephen Navin leaves the UK's Music Publishers' Association

The CEO of the MPA in the UK, Stephen Navin, has resigned. He left the organisation in June, after the Association's AGM. Stephen has decided to take up an offer to study history at Oxford University.

Recently Stephen was in Australia for the APRA Song Summit where he gave a keynote address that inspired, confused and amused the audience in equal parts. He was a great supporter and spokesperson for the music publishing industry and a towering personality in the British music industry.

He can be seen and heard presenting the MPA's series of videos explaining music publishing here: http://www.mpaonline.org.uk/content/educators

Catherine Gerrard steps down as Chair of AMPAL

The Chair of AMPAL, Catherine Gerrard, has resigned from both AMPAL and as Executive Director of All Music Publishing & Distribution in order to take on a new role at APRA|AMCOS.

Catherine will become responsible for all APRA|AMCOS’ print licensing. She will also be taking on a number of other consultancy roles.

The General Manager of AMPAL, Jeremy Fabinyi, commented that Catherine’s departure will be a big loss to AMPAL. On the other hand, she will continue to serve the publishing community in her role at APRA|AMCOS.

“Catherine has provided monumental service in her time as Chair of AMPAL. She showed an unrivalled commitment and enthusiasm to push the organisation forward. We will miss her.” 

Matthew Capper, new AMPAL Chair

The new AMPAL Chair is Matthew Capper, Managing Director of Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd. He is also a Director of Chappell & Co (Australia) Pty Ltd, Wallaby Music Pty Ltd, Warner/Chappell Pty Ltd, the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Limited and Non-executive Publisher Director of APRA.
 

US Copyright Alert System Goes into Effect

The US system of alerting consumers  trading in unauthorised copyrighted content has gone into effect. ISPs will now warn customers when illegal filesharing is detecte. 

The Copyright Alert System (CAS) was devised by a coalition of Internet Service Providers, content owners and the government to curb illegal downloading by alerting "casual infringers" when illegal file-sharing is detected on their IP address.

According to the Executive Director of CAS, Jill Lesser, ​"Implementation marks the culmination of many months of work on this groundbreaking and collaborative effort to curb online piracy and promote the lawful use of digital music, movies and TV shows." 

More information on the system can be found here: http://www.copyrightinformation.org/the-copyright-alert-system/

PPCA wins streaming court case

Record industry collecting society PPCA has won a landmark case in the Australian Federal Court enabling them to licence radio stations separately for their online streaming services. PPCA has fought a long battle with the commercial radio industry to increase royalty payments from the broadcasters for the use of sound recordings. A "cap" of 1% contained in the Copyright Act has prevented PPCA from achieving their aim. However the new ruling will allow them to extract payment from the broadcasters for their streaming services. The release from PPCA can be found here

BMI issues a "letter to the music industry" about the recent withdrawal of rights by some publishers

BMI CEO Del Bryant

The CEO of US performing right organisation BMI, Del Bryant, has issued a letter to the industry following the withdrawal of some online digital rights by Sony/ATV and EMI. Universal has also indicated it will withdraw some rights. The letter can be found here: 

http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi_on_rights_withdrawal_an_open_letter_to_the_music_industry 

ARIA announce an increase in the total industry value.

According to industry trade body ARIA, the total industry value rose last year for the first time since 2009. According to figures released today the value of the Australian recorded music industry in 2012 increased by 4%. The increase in value to $398.1m was the first upwards trend the industry has experienced in its annual wholesale figures since 2009. The story can be found here.

Sony/ATV get new deal with Pandora in the US

Sony/ATV/EMI have negotiated a separate deal with Internet streaming service Pandora which will give them an increased royalty compared to the rates paid to members of ASCAP and BMI. Sony/ATV/EMI withdrew certain rights from the performing right societies in the US as they weren't happy with the statutory rates set by the rate court.

Universal Music has now followed Sony's lead and announced that they will withdraw certain online rights from ASCAP and BMI.

AMPAL at MIDEM

AMPAL Chair Catherine Gerrard and General Manager Jeremy Fabinyi attended MIDEM - the annual music industry trade event - in Cannes recently. About 20 other Australian companies were also there. The AMPAL delegation represented Australian and New Zealand music publishers at the Annual General Meeting of ICMP - the International Confédération of Music Publishers - as well as attending briefings on development of the Global Repertoire Database and other issues of critical importance to the music publishing community.

BMG buys up rights to thousands of hit songs

According to the BBC, BMG Rights Management has signed a deal to acquire selected music publishing catalogues from Virgin Music Publishing, Famous UK Music Publishing and selected titles from Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing.

The story can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20817206 

And according to Billboard, BMG  has acquired the Mute back catalog owned by EMI, which includes records released by artists like Depeche Mode, Erasure, Moby, Goldfrapp and Nick Cave.

The story can be found here: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/bmg-acquires-mute-records-catalog-1008059912.story#iqfy0UrXbXmGXqiK.99