Pretoria – Public hearings into the distribution and collection of artists’ royalties will kick-off next month, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) said.
The hearings are a result of the appointment of a six-member Copyright Review Commission (CRC) last November. The panel appointed by Minister Rob Davies was tasked with reviewing the concerns raised by the creative industry on the issue of royalties.
The CRC began its work on 1 February, chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam.
“Since the establishment, the CRC has already collated a lot of information from various sources including government departments,” said the department. Additionally, the dti is involved in research that will help identify some of the best models for the collection and distribution of royalties to their rightful owners.
The commission has to date received 24 written submissions mainly from big institutions in the creative industry since calling for public comments which closed at the end of March.
The first of the countrywide hearings will take place in Cape Town on 10 May followed by Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein on 11 May. Hearings will be held in Kimberly and Polokwane on 12 May while Mbombela will get its chance on 13 May.
Mafikeng will host the hearings on 16 May followed by Johannesburg on 17 May. Durban will round off the hearings on 19 May.
Further details of the hearings will be available on the dti website (www.thedti.gov.za) while other interactive channels like Facebook and Twitter will also be used.
“The CRC is making a call to all stakeholders including artists’ organisations, community arts and cultural groups , NGOs , artists’ agents and all interested parties to get involved and contribute and make their voice heard on these issues,” said the dti. – BuaNews
