Thursday, 2 August 2007 - PNG songwriters will soon receive the first local royalty payments as a result of a new licence agreement between APRA and radio station, PNG FM. This is the first licence issued, for performing rights, since the implementation of copyright law in PNG

The news was announced at the inaugural PNG & Pacific Copyright Summit held in Brisbane last week. Proudly presented by APRA and the Copyright Collective Management Division of WIPO; the Summit formalised a commitment from PNG Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the PNG Department of Justice to finalise the relevant regulations for the establishment of a collecting society. APRA|AMCOS and WIPO also pledged support to the nascent organisation.

Also launched at the Summit was CMS Pacific – a centralised documentation and royalty distribution database for the region. “This cost-effective IT solution will enable the management of copyright protected musical works on behalf of Pacific songwriters and composers,” said Scot Morris Director, International APRA|AMCOS.

“CMS Pacific will support the establishment of viable local collecting societies in the South Pacific region. A regional solution to rights administration in developing markets; CMS Pacific takes full advantage of the available economies of scale.

The Summit was held in conjunction with the Queensland Music Festival; the two events shared in a ‘Sing Sing’ performance featuring George Telek, Ari Ingram Djakapurra Munyarryun and Soru Tony Subam. The performance was directed by the renowned songwriter, composer and collaborator with PNG artists, David Bridie, who was also a panelist at the Summit.

The Summit attracted delegates from PNG and across the Pacific and featured panel discussions about copyright law and practice both internationally and locally, perspectives on traditional culture and music in the South Pacific, as well as strategies to combat piracy in the region. Guest speakers included songwriters, composers, copyright experts, academics and representatives from the Australasian and PNG music industries, APRA|AMCOS, WIPO and the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department.

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APRA|AMCOS Communications
Phone: (02) 9935 7900. Email: comms@apra.com.au Web: www.apra.com.au

The Australasian Performing Right Association Limited was established in 1926 and now administers the performing and communication rights of 47,000+ composer, songwriter and music publisher members in Australia and New Zealand. Public performances of music include music used in pubs, clubs, fitness centres, shops, cinemas, festivals, whether performed live, on CDs or played on the radio or television. Communication of music covers music used for music on hold, music accessed over the internet or used by television or radio broadcasters.

The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) collects and distributes mechanical royalties for the reproduction of its members’ musical works for many different purposes.

These include the manufacture of CDs, music videos and DVDs, the sale of mobile phone ringtones and digital downloads, the use of production music and the making of radio and television programmes.

Since 1997, APRA has managed the day-to-day operations of the AMCOS business.

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The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

WIPO is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. Web: www.wipo.int