By Richard Mallett, Director Recordings and Online Services APRA|AMCOS

APRA|AMCOS has operated an interim licence scheme for digital downloads – with most licensees at a combined tariff of 8% - for a number of years.  That interim scheme ended on 30 June 2007.  After we could not reach agreement with licensees on the terms and conditions for a new scheme, APRA|AMCOS referred a new scheme in the Copyright Tribunal at a combined tariff of 12%, which we believe more fairly reflects the value of our rights.  The Tribunal is unlikely to hear the matter until next year at the earliest. APRA|AMCOS will not be seeking retrospective orders in the Tribunal.

MGM and APRA|AMCOS have amended their licence arrangements with effect from 1 July.  Previously, MGM accounted to AMCOS on most of the releases it distributed – generally albums self-released by local singer/songwriters.  From July those same artists, often your songwriters, whose records are released by MGM, will need to obtain licences directly from APRA|AMCOS.