Australia's content, creative and entertainment sectors, have called on the government to drop its safe harbour proposal, and engage in meaningful consultation to achieve the scheme Australia's creators deserve:
Music Australia releases National Contemporary Music Plan
Australia’s peak music institutions including ARIA, APRA AMCOS, AMPAL, AMIN, AIR, Live Music Office, Country Music Association of Australia and others have banded together to speak as one, creating a National Contemporary Music Plan, which is a whole-of-industry approach to engage government and the public in understanding the value of Australian music both culturally and economically. The Plan was launched at Music Australia’s 2016 Contemporary Music Roundtable.
The plan is underpinned by six key strategies to stimulate the industry including:
1. Increase Australia’s music exports and international market share of music;
2. Ensure there is a robust and effective copyright framework as the foundation of industry growth and prosperity;
3. Increase consumer demand for both recorded and live music through audience development, public engagement and promotion;
4. Foster industry skills and business development to build capability and competitiveness;
5. Strengthen artist development to deliver a more secure vocational livelihood for musicians and a more globally competitive industry;
6. Deliver best practice regulatory environments, effect regulatory reform, and implement targeted investment incentives.
For more information, see https://musicaustralia.org.au/publications/national-contemporary-music-plan.
Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition Deadline extended to 10 August
The deadline for entries to the 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition has been extended until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday 10 August 2016.
For entries and further information including terms and conditions, please see www.vandayoungsongcomp.com/.
Nominations for 2016 AMPAL Board Elections Now Open
In accordance with the Australasian Music Publishers' Association Limited (AMPAL) constitution, nominations for the position of board director can be received up until 60 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting (AGM).
The date for the 2016 AMPAL AGM is Wednesday 23 November 2016. Accordingly, nominations for the position of AMPAL board director must be received by the Company Secretary by no later than 5pm AEST Friday 23 September 2016.
Details of nominees will be provided to all eligible full members prior to the AGM and in accordance with the AMPAL constitution. The constitution is available 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 and General Manager, Matthew O’Sullivan, email matthew.osullivan@ampal.com.au.
Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition deadline extended
The deadline for entries to the 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition has been extended until 11.59pm AEST on 4 August 2016.
The Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious songwriting competitions. It aims to support talented songwriters while raising much-needed funds for not-for-profit organisation Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA).
This year’s winning songwriter/s will take home a cash prize of A$50,000 and join the eminent company of past winners Megan Washington (2009), Kimbra (2011), The Preatures (2013) and Husky Gawenda (2014).
AMPAL is proud to once again be sponsoring the second prize of A$10,000, with a third prize of A$5,000 also on offer. All winners will also take home a microphone prize pack from Shure.
Entry fees will go directly towards the work of NRMTA, which uses music therapy to help people cope with the struggles of living with a wide range of needs. These include children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, autism, trauma, illness, dementia, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties. To learn more about the work of NRMTA, head to http://www.nordoff-robbins.com.au/.
For entries and further information including terms and conditions, please see http://apraamcos.com.au/vandayoungsongcomp/.
BMG Acquires Alberts
BMG and the Albert family have announced that they are pleased to have reached an agreement for BMG to acquire the 131 year old Australian music publishing and recording company, J Albert & Son Pty Ltd, better known as Alberts. Alberts has published songs and released records from many of the greatest names in Australian music. This includes The Easybeats and their songwriters Harry Vanda, George Young & Stevie Wright, AC/DC, John Paul Young, Rose Tattoo and a roster of contemporary writers including; Montaigne, Megan Washington, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Pyke, Urthboy, the Cat Empire and San Cisco. Alberts is a member of AMPAL, and was a founding member of AMPAL in 1956.
Alberts will now form part of BMG Australia, the Sydney-based operation of BMG launched just three months ago. Alberts CEO and AMPAL board director David Albert said, “This was a difficult decision to make, but as music grapples with its digital future, with new distribution models and the influence of global technology companies, we believe BMG is in the best position to take the business forward. BMG has a global presence, an artist-friendly approach to business and a genuine desire to invest in and support the Australian music scene.”
BMG Australia Managing Director Heath Johns will run the newly-enlarged company, which will take on a number of the Alberts team. "No company has left a mark on Australian music like Alberts,” he said. “It is an honour for BMG Australia to protect this profound legacy and also work with its exciting contemporary roster to further build their careers at home and abroad. This is a big vote of confidence in Australian talent and a recognition of Australia’s status as the biggest international exporter of recording talent after the US and UK."
The deal means ownership of most of the Alberts music publishing and recordings catalogue transfers to BMG. The Albert family will retain their interests in the catalogues of AC/DC and Vanda, Young & Wright given their long-standing relationships. BMG will administer the music publishing catalogues worldwide on behalf of the family. BMG is a music company representing music publishing and recording rights, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of international media company Bertelsmann, founded by Bertelsmann in 2008. BMG has 12 offices across 10 core music markets representing over 2m songs and recordings.
For more information:
AMPAL members awarded at 50th MIDEM
Peter Hebbes AM (left) and John Evans (right)
Congratulations to AMPAL members Peter Hebbes AM (Hebbes Music Group, and AMPAL board director) and John Evans (Timeless Music) who were both awarded Pioneer Medals at MIDEM's 50th anniversary celebrations in Cannes, France earlier this month.
They were among 28 recipients of the commemorative medal, awarded to industry veterans who have attended over 40 editions of the event. Fellow recipients included MIDEM founder Bernard Chevry, former Eurovision Song Contest winner Sandie Shaw and Sire Records Chairman Seymour Stein.
Congratulations Peter and John!
AMPAL re-elected to the board of ICMP
The International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) ICMP held its Annual General Assembly during Midem on 4 June in the presence of some 60 publishers from across the globe. A new Board and Bureaux for the term of 2016-2018 were duly elected.
AMPAL board director Ian James elected to the ICMP board. Also elected to the board were Jodie Ferneyhough (CMPA, Canada); Nicolas Galibert (CSDEM, France); Ralph Peer II (NMPA, US); Kagenobu Kuwahata (MPAJ, Japan); Chris Butler (MPA UK, UK); Paolo Franchini (FEM, Italy); Kathleen Marsh (MPA US); Pekka Sipilä (FMPA, Finland); Rolf Budde (DMV, Germany); Goetz Von Einem (representing BMG Rights Management); James Fitzherbert (representing IMPA); Guy Henderson (representing Sony ATV/ EMI Music Publishing); Andrew Jenkins (representing Universal Music Publishing); Stephen Clark (representing Warner /Chappell Music), and Pierre Mossiat (representing IMPF).
The Executive Bureau was appointed by the newly elected Board with unanimous approval for Andrew Jenkins to serve as Chair, Nicolas Galibert and Rolf Budde as Vice Chairs, Ralph Peer II as Treasurer, and Goetz von Einem as Secretary.
Popular Bureaux and Serious Bureaux elections also took place.
ICMP meetings at Midem included discussion on the European Commission e-commerce package. ICMP is glad to see that the transfer of value (value gap) issue has been highlighted in the communication on online platforms.
“For some time, we have been raising our concerns about how online platforms that use copyright-protected content to attract audiences for economic benefit are not fairly sharing the value generated with rightsholders. In fact, most of the time they are not sharing this value at all,” said ICMP Director General Coco Carmona.
More information at: http://www.icmp-ciem.org/node/674
Australian and New Zealand music publishing industry valued at more than AUD$215 million
The 2015 survey of AMPAL members has valued the Australian and New Zealand music publishing industry at just over AUD$215 million for the year. The survey included data from the industry collective management society APRA AMCOS, but it only related to royalties flowing through to music publishing companies and did not include money paid directly to songwriters and composers. AMPAL members provided confidential information to auditors Rosenfeld & Kant who aggregated the data.
Sounds Australia fails to secure Australian Government funding through the Catalyst Program
As a supporter of Sounds Australia, AMPAL is disappointed that Sounds Australia has failed to secure funding in the latest Catalyst funding round. Catalyst is the Australian Government's new funding program for the arts, administered by the Ministry for the Arts.
Sounds Australia is a national contemporary music export initiative, and is a joint initiative of the Australia Council and APRA AMCOS, supported by the Federal Government together with State Government agencies and peak industry associations. APRA AMCOS has noted that since its inception in 2009, Sounds Australia has assisted the careers of 620 Australian artists through its work at 48 different international events in 52 cities across 19 countries. Sounds Australia data indicates a 300% compound annual growth in individual earnings within three years of those artists' first Sounds Australia (and first international) appearance. Sounds Australia is funded through the Ministry for the Arts until December 31, 2016, and APRA AMCOS notes that without additional funding, the initiative will not be able to offer its full annual program beyond that date. AMPAL welcomes the announcement today, 13 May, of the Australia Council for the Arts funding for Sounds Australia, and is hopeful that the Federal Government will work with Sounds Australia on a funding solution to continue investment in Sounds Australia's important export initiatives.
More information on Sounds Australia: http://soundsaustralia.com.au/
More information on Catalyst: http://arts.gov.au/catalyst
2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition now open, AMPAL to once again co-sponsor!
The 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is now open.
This year’s winning songwriter/s will take home a cash prize of A$50,000 and join the eminent company of past winners Megan Washington (2009), Kimbra (2011), The Preatures (2013) and Husky Gawenda (2014).
AMPAL is proud to once again be sponsoring the second prize of A$10,000, with a third prize of A$5,000 also on offer.
The Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious songwriting competitions. It aims to support talented songwriters while raising much-needed funds for not-for-profit organisation Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA).
Entry fees will go directly towards the work of NRMTA, which uses music therapy to help people cope with the struggles of living with a wide range of needs. These include children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, autism, trauma, illness, dementia, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties. To learn more about the work of NRMTA, head to http://www.nordoff-robbins.com.au/.
For entries and further information including terms and conditions, please see http://apraamcos.com.au/vandayoungsongcomp/.
Productivity Commission releases Draft Report on Intellectual Property Arrangements
The Productivity Commission has released its Draft Report on Intellectual Property Arrangements, following the release of its Issues Paper and receiving public submissions, which included submissions by AMPAL and the ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers), of which AMPAL is a member.
The Draft Report is available on the inquiry website at http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/intellectual-property#draft.
AMPAL's and ICMP's submissions in response to the Issues Paper are available at http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/intellectual-property/submissions#initial.
The key recommendations in relation to copyright in the Draft Report include that the Government:
- align the terms of protection for published an unpublished works
- avoid any international agreements that would prevent or ban consumers from circumventing geoblocking technology
- repeal parallel importation restrictions on books by no later than the end of 2017
- repeal the current fair dealing exceptions and introducing fair use as recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission
- repeal. section 51(3) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and
- expand the safe harbor scheme to include a broader set of online service providers.
AMPAL will provide its full comments on the Draft Report in a further submission to the inquiry.
Submissions on the Draft Report are due by 3 June 2016. Following that, the Productivity Commission is due to present its Inquiry Report to the Government in August 2016.
Midem to receive honourary 2016 ICMP Ralph Peer II Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Music Publishing
The International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) has revealed that leading music trade fair Midem is the special honouree of the 2016 ICMP Ralph Peer II Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Music Publishing - the unique and prestigious prize in the international music publishing field.
The Award, initiated by ICMP in 2013, and named after its first honouree Ralph Peer II, recognises visionaries in the field of music publishing, whose roles have helped develop, protect and value the music of composers and authors around the world. The ceremony will take place on 4 June during the Midem International Awards.
The ICMP Board unanimously nominated Midem to receive this special honourary Award as a result of its 50 years of building a unique deal-making platform that has continually united and promoted all players – both big and small – from across the music ecosystem.
“On behalf of ICMP, I would like to congratulate the Midem organisation on winning this Award,” said ICMP Chair Andrew Jenkins. “Midem’s international focus is what makes it so special. For all of us, Midem is a wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face with our business partners from around the world, to explore and conclude new business opportunities, and to discuss the pressing industry issues of the day. In this respect Midem is unique, and this sharing of ideas is vital to ICMP as it enables us, as the global voice of music publishing, to react appropriately on behalf of our members,” he added.
“It’s never been more important for the relationships within the music business community to be global. For 50 years, Midem has played a crucial role by creating a space where music publishing leaders can come together from around the world to connect, share ideas and build relationships that advance our community as a whole. The Board of ICMP is proud to honour Midem on its 50th anniversary with this award in recognition of all that it does for music creators," said Ralph Peer II, Chair and CEO of peermusic and an ICMP Board Member.
For more information, see the ICMP website at: http://www.icmp-ciem.org/node/667
Music industry files under section 115A of Copyright Act
On 18 April, ARIA members Universal Music Australia Pty Limited, Warner Music Australia Pty. Limited, Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd and J Albert & Son Pty Ltd, together with APRA AMCOS, filed an application in the Federal Court of Australia seeking orders under section 115A of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) to have the offshore site KickassTorrents and related proxy sites blocked in Australia.
Section 115A is a no-fault remedy which allows copyright owners or their exclusive licensees to apply for injunctions to have carriage service providers (ISPs) put blocks in place to prevent their subscribers accessing sites which have the primary purpose of infringing or facilitating the infringement of copyright.
The Government described the sites which are the intended target of these orders as being ones which flagrantly disregard the rights of copyright owners, the “worst of the worst”. These sites do nothing but exploit the creativity of others and give nothing back to the artists, songwriters, record labels and music publishers whose music is stolen and made available on them, as they make millions of dollars from the advertising which appears on them.
These orders will also support legitimate licensed online services which offer music fans access to the music they love across a range of devices at any time and any day.
“Online infringement continues to be a major threat to the sustainability of the Australian music industry. Illegal offshore sites like Kickass Torrents show a complete disrespect for music creators and the value of music. Australian music fans already have access – for free if they choose – to the world’s repertoire of music via more than 20 legitimate licensed online music services. Blocking access to sites like Kickass Torrents is all about supporting those services and allowing the writers whose songs are available on them to be paid for their work”, Jenny Morris OAM, Chair of the APRA Board.
For further information see the Music Rights Australia website: http://www.musicrights.com.au/news/musicindustryfilesunders115a/
2016 APRA Music Award WInners Announced
The 2016 APRA Music Awards presented in Sydney have been announced, with AMPAL music publishers representing a number of successful writers.
Courtney Barnett, published by Native Tongue Music Publishing, was named Songwriter of the Year.
The APRA Song of the Year was awarded to 'Let it Happen' by Tame Impala, written by Parker and published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia.
The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music was presented on the night to Cold Chisel.
The full list of winners is available at: http://apraamcos.com.au/news/2016/april/2016-apra-music-award-winners-announced/
Congratulations to all nominees and winners and successful AMPAL members!
Jimmy Barnes and other Australian artists perform at Parliament House to put music industry challenges on political agenda
Photo: APRA AMCOS
Jimmy Barnes, Josh Pyke, Suzy Demarchi and other Australian artists have performed at Parliament House in an event organised by the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Music. The stated aim of the group is to 'recognise the economic and cultural significance of the Australian music industry and raise awareness to the Parliament of its importance'.
Following his performance, Barnes commented on challenges faced by Australian musicians and songwriters and called for Government support.
'Musicians struggle for most of their careers. It’s a struggling business. There needs to be more funding for the arts, for music, for rock music. I've seen a lot of great musicians, a lot of great songwriters, come and starve to death and disappear.'
Government backbencher Mr Ewen Jones MP, co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Music stated, 'You won't find a more creative, a more innovative industry than music. This is perfect for our agenda.'
More on the story is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/jimmy-barnes-rocks-parliament-to-put-music-on-political-agenda/7249676
2016 APRA Music Awards nominees announced
The nominees for the 2016 APRA Music Awards have now been announced.
Jarryd James for Do You Remember and Sia Furler for Elastic Heart have each received four nominations. Other songwriters receiving multiple nominations include AC/DC, Birds of Tokyo, Colin Buchanan, Hilltop Hoods, Joel Little, Phil Barton, Lee Kernaghan, Garth Porter, Peking Duk, Tkay Maidza and Vance Joy.
Song of the Year nominations are Birds Of Tokyo for Anchor, Jarryd James and Joel Little for Do You Remember, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker for Let It Happen, Courtney Barnett for Pedestrian at Best and C.W. Stoneking for The Zombie.
The awards, to be announced on 5 April in Sydney, also include a new category this year for the Overseas Recognition Award.
More information is available from the APRA AMCOS website: http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2016-awards/apra-music-awards-nominations/
New report on the costs and benefits of introducing a 'fair use' exception to Australian copyright law finds no improved economic outcomes
A new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers has been released entitled 'Understanding the costs and benefits of introducing a "fair use" exception'. The report, commissioned by APRA AMCOS, PPCA, Copyright Agency│Viscopy, Foxtel, News Corp Australia and Screenrights, seeks to provide some insights into elements that should be considered in any formal economic cost-benefit analysis of the proposed introduction of fair use.
The analysis conducted by PwC finds that that 'there is no firm evidence supporting a direct causational relationship between fair use and improved economic outcomes for the Australian economy as a whole...'
The full report is available here.
2016 APRA song of the year
APRA AMCOS has revealed the Top 20 contenders for APRA Song of the Year. The song list features a mix of compositions by established songwriters including Daniel Johns, Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and The Waifs alongside first time finalists such as Pond and Jarryd James. The shortlist sets up an intriguing contest for the Top 5 to be announced in early March.
More information and the full list is available at http://apraamcos.com.au/news/2016/january/apra-song-of-the-year-top-20/?mc_cid=f30fde8647&mc_eid=750a85aa3f
Music Rights Australia GM outlines "significant" changes to safe harbours
The Australian Government has produced an Exposure Draft to amend the Copyright Act. In an article for The Music Network, Vanessa Hutley, General Manager of Music Rights Australia (http://www.musicrights.com.au/) outlines that proposals regarding Australia's 'safe harbour laws' have the potential to impact the creative content industries in a significant way.
The article is available at: https://www.themusicnetwork.com/news/music-rights-australias-gm-outlines-significant-change-to-safe-harbours.
Further information on the proposals and the consultation which closes on 12 February 2016 is available at: https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/updating-australias-copyright-laws