AMPAL to co-sponsor the 2014 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition

VandaYoung 3.jpg

Once again AMPAL is sponsoring the $10,000.00 second prize for the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition.

The winning songwriter/s will take home a cash prize of $50,000 and join the illustrious company of past Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition winners – Megan Washington (2009), Kimbra (2011) and The Preatures (2013).

This unique charity fundraising songwriting competition is the largest of its kind in the world. It supports emerging songwriters and uses the power of music to help people with developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rett Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome and disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia and Spina Bifida.

All proceeds go to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.

Please visit www.apraamcos.com.au/vandayoungsongcomp  to enter for more information and terms and conditions.

Entries for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation’s Songwriting Competition 2014 Opens

The Australian Children’s Music Foundation’s (ACMF) National Songwriting Competition is an initiative to encourage creativity and self-expression through songwriting. AMPAL is one of the sponsors of the competition. It is a free entry annual competition for every Primary, Secondary and Specific Purpose School, across Australia. More info on the competition can be found here:

http://acmf.com.au/songwriting-comp/national-songwriting-competition/

acmf logo 1.png

Digital Content Guide Launched

The Digital Content Guide has now been launched. It is a guide to help consumers find the creative content they want easily and quickly. The new website sets out a range of entertainment content that is available online from licensed sources in Australia. The Digital Content Guide facilitates access to licensed online entertainment services including TV and movies, music, eBooks, games and sport. The service is free and is available for desktop and portable devices.

The Digital Content Guide can be found at http://www.digitalcontentguide.com.au/. 

London Police to replace ads on copyright infringing websites with warnings

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police has begun replacing advertising on copyright infringing websites with official force banners, warning the user that the site is currently under criminal investigation.

More info can be found here: http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/advice-and-support/fraud-and-economic-crime/pipcu/pipcu-news/Pages/Advert-replacement.aspx

Nominations Open for the AMPAL Board

In accordance with the Australasian Music Publishers' Association Limited (AMPAL) constitution, nominations for the position of board director can be received up to 60 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting (AGM).
 The date for the 2014 AMPAL AGM is Thursday 13 November 2014. Accordingly, nominations for the position of AMPAL board director must be received by the company secretary by no later than 5pm Sunday 14 September 2014.

 Details of nominees will be provided to all eligible full members prior to the AGM and in accordance with the AMPAL constitution. You can read the constitution at http://www.ampal.com.au/ampal-constitution/.

 For a copy of the AMPAL board Nomination Form and to discuss your eligibility for nomination, please contact the AMPAL Company Secretary, Matthew O’Sullivan, email matthewosullivan@hotmail.com.

Major ISPs, Industry Trade Associations and the UK Government come together in Anti-Priacy Campaign

Consumers in the UK found to be downloading copyright-infringing content will be sent warning letters as part of a new initiative between ISPs and content creators.

Representatives from the UK's creative industries and major internet service providers ISPs have come together with the support of the UK government to launch Creative Content UK, a new partnership that will boost consumer awareness of the wide array of legitimate online content services and help reduce online copyright infringement. The full story can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-education-programme-launched-to-combat-online-piracy

ICMP to force closure of unauthorised piano files site

Following the mass letter writing campaign carried out by ICMP with prominent music publishers from around the world, and the subsequent meetings with ICMP’s Anti-Piracy Committee (as represented by the Music Publishers Association UK), the operators of the copyright infringing sheet music website ‘pianofiles.com’ have announced that the site will be shut down.   Building on this significant breakthrough, ICMP’s Anti-Piracy Committee is currently working on next steps regarding various other coordinated actions at a global level.

Lindy Morrison Receives Ted Albert Award

APRA have announced that this year's recipient of the Ted Albert Award for outstanding service to the music industry is Lindy Morrison. Lindy has been a tireless campaigner on behalf of musicians. Lindy was the drummer with the Go-Betweens. she is also the National Welfare Coordinator of Support Act Limited and a long time performer director of PPCA. More info can be found here: http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/news/allnews/LINDYMORRISONOAMTORECEIVETEDALBERTAWARDFOROUTSTANDINGSERVICESTOAUSTRALIANMUSIC.aspx

MCPS to outsource synch licensing

CueSongs has been appointed to carry out all individual sync licensing activity on behalf of MCPS mandated members. MCPS is the UK mechanical right society and is managed by PRS for Music. CueSongs was co-founded by Peter Gabriel and digital music veteran Ed Averdieck.  Jane Dyball, CEO of MCPS, says: “CueSongs is totally focused on the business of sync licensing and is already a MCPS trusted partner in other areas of business, so we are looking forward to seeing rapid results. More details can be found here: http://www.prsformusic.com/aboutus/press/latestpressreleases/Pages/cuesongs-appointed-by-mcps-for-individual-sync-licensing.aspx

UK Government delays the introduction of private copying exception

The UK Government planned to change UK Copyright Law to allow private copying from June this year. The changes would permit consumers to copy their lawfully acquired music files onto their music player of choice for their personal use. However the changes have been temporarily put on hold while further consideration is given to how such changes fit with European law. Changes to allow parodies are also being reviewed. The changes arise from the Hargraves Review of Intellectual Property. 

The proposed changes are a long way short of the recent proposals by Australian Law Reform Commission to introduce an exception to copyright infringement for the "fair use" of copyright material. The "fair use" concept was specifically rejected by the Hargraves Review. The UK changes mirror 2005 changes to Australian Copyright Law. Apart from private copying, they also introduce a number of other exceptions including for archiving. Details of the proposed UK changes can be found here:   http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/hargreaves/hargreaves-copyright/hargreaves-copyright-techreview.htm

An article on the delay can be found here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/05/08/govt_yanks_copyright_exceptions/

US Synch Market

Emmanuel Legrand has posted an interesting blog on the US synch market, following a recent trip to MusExpo in LA. Emmanuel is a freelance journalist who also co-ordinates the biennial CISAC Copyright Congress.

Part 1: Understanding the market, can be found here: http://legrandnetwork.blogspot.fr/2014/04/synchs-part-1-understanding-hollywood.html

Part 2: 10 tips for an efficient synch business, can be found here:
http://legrandnetwork.blogspot.fr/2014/04/synchs-part-2-ten-tips-for-successful.html


Discount for AMPAL Members at Copyright Council Seminar in Brisbane.

copy council logo.jpg

The Australian Copyright Council's national seminar is taking place in Brisbane from 2nd to 4th of June.

The Australian Copyright Council offers a range of practical and informative seminars on Australian copyright law to assist people dealing with content in the digital age. More information can be found here:  http://www.copyright.org.au/pdf/sem2014/brisem.html. AMPAL members qualify for a 10% discount .

 

Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia, the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore, aimed at simplifying trade between the 12 nations. A leaked version of the chapter on Intellectual Property has caused concern in some quarters that the US have been pushing for tougher IP provisions in the agreement. An interesting analysis of the leaked section can be found here: http://works.bepress.com/kimweatherall/27/

AMPAL's Tips of the Trade

aprap.png

The December 2013 edition of the APRA|AMCOS Newsletter, APRAP, contains an article from AMPAL General Manager, Jeremy Fabinyi, on publishing "Tips of the Trade". The article can be found here: http://aprap.apra-amcos.com.au/2013/tips-of-the-trade-publishing-deals-the-dos-and-donts/ and is reproduced below:

Tips of the Trade: Publishing Deals – the Dos and Don’ts

This month we spoke to Jeremy Fabinyi, the General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association (AMPAL) about what you should consider in terms of publishing deals and what you need to know about publishers. Jeremy has been with AMPAL since returning to Australia in 2012 after ten years overseas – he had three years with the international authors’ trade associations, BIEM and CISAC in Paris, before becoming Managing Director of the UK’s mechanical right society, MCPS. He went on to hold a number of roles within the MCPS/PRS organisation including a stint as acting CEO of PRS for Music.

What should I expect from a publishing deal? What will publishing companies do for my music and my career? 

Publishers assist writers by providing financial assistance, professional and creative advice, commercial exploitation and making sure that the money flows.

What should an songwriter consider before approaching a publisher? What are the basics that every songwriter should have before they approach a publisher? What are the best ways to attract interest from potential publishers?

Music publishing is a competitive business. Writers compete to get the attention of publishers and publishers compete to sign the writers with the greatest potential. There are some publishers who just need to hear the music to be inspired to sign a writer, but it is a good idea to have a clear idea of the market for the music before approaching a publisher. Of course it helps if the writer has already created music that has found an audience.  Different publishers specialise in different genres of music and some research is required to find the right publisher to pitch music to.

Who should be looking for publishing deals and at what stage does a publishing deal become a priority? I’ve been in the industry for a while and have a good set of contacts and networks. Do I need a publishing deal?

Music publishing isn’t rocket science but it does come with its own jargon and business practices. Writers who are prepared to spend the time to get an understanding of the industry and the royalty and rights flow should be able to manage their own affairs. However once the pressure comes on – for example through significant international success – it becomes much harder for writers to deal with the complexities of the industry on their own.

Is it more important for writers/musicians to have a record deal before a publishing deal? Can a publisher help me secure a record deal if I don’t already have one?

Music publishers in Australia have a long tradition of helping writers get their first record deal. However in the current environment, many people are looking to work without the help of a record company through self releasing their material. In these circumstances, it can be very useful for writers/artists to have music industry-savvy advisers such as music publishers on their team, to help them get what is due to them.

Should I expect an advance with my publishing deal or are they not a guarantee?

Advances aren’t what they used to be – the industry has tightened up considerably in the last few years. However there is nothing wrong with seeking a healthy financial commitment from a publisher – though often the more money upfront, the less attractive the royalty rates and other terms and conditions of the deal.

I want to have creative control on where and whom my music is licensed to. Does a publishing deal reduce my say on this? ­­­

Publishers are commercial animals and will want to encourage writers to exploit their songs widely, but a good publisher will always recognise the desire for creative control and will work with their writers to support their moral rights.

Who should I be speaking to before I sign a deal? 

A publishing contract is an important legal document. Advice from a lawyer who is familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the music industry is essential.

To find out more information about AMPAL and music publishers head to www.ampal.com.au

Australia Council Grants

The Australia Council for The Arts have three separate grants that are open to artists & songwriters. The deadline for each of them is May 5th.

International Pathways (up to $20,000) - to support international touring by Australian musicians performing predominantly original Australian music.

Presentation and Promotion (up to $30,000) to support one-off projects that present, publish, distribute or market quality music of any style within Australia

New Work (up to $20,000) - to support one-off creative projects of Australian music, sound art or media art, including songwriting.

.

EBU/GESAC/ICMP/ECSA Recommendation sets principles for European licensing of broadcast-related online activities

Public service broadcasters, composers/songwriters, music publishers and collective management organisations have launched a forward-looking industry initiative to facilitate licensing in the digital environment. The parties’ respective European umbrella organizations, EBU, ECSA, ICMP and GESAC have agreed on a Recommendation that sets the principles which will encourage the aggregation of rights for the licensing of certain broadcast-related online activities on a cross-border basis.

The Recommendation establishes common principles that strike a balance between the stakeholders’ interests and objectives to lead to the cross-border licensing of public service broadcasters. This will simplify the basis on which licences of musical works in the context of "broadcast-related online activities", i.e. additional online content related to their regular broadcasting services will be implemented within the European Union. As well as promoting a voluntary re-aggregation of rights, the Recommendation also promotes high levels of transparency for authors/composers and publishers, fair compensation and efficient, modern and non-discriminatory administration arrangements.