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Copyright and music
Under the Australian Copyright Act, songwriters, composers and music publishers have a number of rights that allow them to control how and when their music is used and to negotiate payment for this use. These include:
- the right to perform music in public, (e.g. by playing a CD, radio, TV or by a live performance);
- the right to communicate music to the public, (e.g. a radio or television broadcast, via a music on hold system or to make available for download); and
- the right to reproduce music, (e.g. on a CD or in a television programme)
For more information, go to copyright and music.
APRA and AMCOS exist, in part, because it is difficult or impossible to obtain permission from every copyright owner prior to performing, communicating or reproducing their music, APRA was established to provide a link between music users and creators. Our role is to administer the rights of APRA’s and AMCOS’s members (i.e. nearly all Australian and New Zealand music publishers, songwriters and composers). Through reciprocal arrangements with similar organisations around the world, APRA|AMCOS also represents more than two million music copyright owners across the globe.
If you perform, communicate music to the public or reproduce music, you need to obtain the relevant licence(s) from the copyright owner. In the vast majority of cases, APRA|AMCOS are the relevant right owners and is able to grant you the necessary licence.
You may require more than one licence– for example, if you run a dance school and distribute CDs of songs to pupils so that they may practice at home – you will require both an APRA performance licence and an AMCOS reproduction licence as APRA|AMCOS owns or controls the relevant rights. Failure to obtain the necessary licences may amount to an infringement of copyright.
APRA|AMCOS licence types
APRA|AMCOS has a wide range of licences that provide businesses and organisations with a simple and cost effective means of using music while complying with their copyright obligations.
APRA offers – on behalf of its members - a range of licences for different types of businesses, including television and radio stations, major corporations, retail outlets, restaurants, clubs and fitness centres, health care businesses, professional services as well as licences for events.
Since 1997, APRA has also been able to offer a number of reproduction licences through AMCOS, a music copyright collection society that represents music publishers and writers from around the world for rights in the reproduction (copying) of their music. These include licences to record music onto CDs for sale to the public, to make radio and television programmes, to provide background music services to businesses, to make ringtones and digital downloads and licences to use production music.
To find out more, go to licence types.
Distribution of licence fees
APRA and AMCOS distribute licence fees to the copyright owners whose music is identified as having been used, respectively, after the deduction of our administrative overheads only (or commission has been applied in the case of AMCOS royalties). To find out more, go to all about royalties.
Concerns or complaints?
With more than 60,000 licensees throughout Australia and New Zealand, APRA is more mindful than ever of delivering excellent service. APRA endeavours to handle all enquiries expediently and satisfactorily. APRA also complies with a voluntary Code of Conduct for Collecting Societies and our compliance is assessed by an independent expert on a regular basis.
However, if you are dissatisfied with the information, explanation or response about a particular matter, APRA’s Board has established a formal procedure for lodging complaints.
We also have an Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy to provide you with a faster and less expensive way of resolving certain licensing disputes with APRA and AMCOS..
Contact us
Our General Licensing Department is happy to help with any enquiries you may have, just contact us or call on 1300.852 388 (toll free) or email licence@apra.com.au
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