MARK EADES' UPDATE

by Mark Eades, Manager Publisher Services, APRA

Welcome to Antenna for 2008! If 2007 is any indication, it’s going to be a busy year for Australian and New Zealand music publishers…

• Membership increases: Last year saw the election of 33 new publishers to APRA membership, a sharp increase on the 16 publishers elected to APRA in 2006. 25 publishers also became AMCOS members in 2007, most of these being simultaneous applicants for APRA membership, as compared to the 23 publishers elected to AMCOS in 2006 which were largely already members of APRA. APRA publishers who are not yet also AMCOS members should contact me to discuss the benefits of AMCOS membership if interested.
• Registration increases: title registrations submitted by publishers in bulk electronic file formats grew from 240,007 in 2006 to 298,897 in 2007 – an increase of 58,890 individual registrations. This figure does not include the many thousands of titles also manually registered by publishers onto CMS.
• Major catalogue changes: some large international catalogues changed local ownership in 2007 and since, keeping Publisher Representatives busy with data entry. Examples include Universal’s purchase of BMG Music Publishing, Sony/ATV’s acquisitions of the Realsongs (Diane Warren), Leiber-Stoller Music and Famous Music publishing catalogues, and Shock Music Publishing’s acquisition through Bug Music of the Windswept Pacific catalogues.

Contacting APRA|AMCOS
Publishers unsure who to contact at APRA|AMCOS for different types of query are reminded of the Publisher Member Contact Guide available on our website.

Performing right news: Distribution 45A
As APRA distribution 45A (payment for earnings from July to December 2007) is approaching, publishers are reminded of registration cut-off dates for APRA distribution processing purposes:

• Agreement Registrations (on-line and Agreement Registration Forms): Friday 14 March 2008
• Work Registrations (on-line, bulk and index card): Friday 21 March 2008
  Registrations received after these dates will not take effect for performing right divisions-of-fee until after the distribution is complete.

Publishers that receive electronic distribution statements from APRA are reminded of minor changes to APRA’s proprietary statement format which will be effective from distribution 45A (the IPI name number of original publishers will now be shown on statement lines); the specifications for the revised format are on our website. Publishers which have not previously received APRA electronic statements and want to start receiving them should contact me to arrange this.

Song Summit Sydney : Have you registered yet?

Don't miss your opportunity to attend the inaugural Song Summit Sydney, 3-5 April 2008. Registration is easy! Simply go to www.songsummit.com.au and follow the prompts.

Not sure what it's all about? Check out the S³ Program - it has full details of sessions, workshops and speakers.

Staff Changes: Welcome Back Alana!

Alana Wood returned to Publisher Services in late February to fill the Research and Copyright Administrator position vacated by Chris Moller at the end of 2007; Alana previously worked in this role until she left APRA a year ago for the birth of her son, Sebastian. We warmly welcome Alana back to the team.

APRA|AMCOS News

Welcome to new Publisher Members:
- Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd (APRA and AMCOS)
- Eastview Way Pty Ltd (AMCOS)
- Emu Music (AMCOS)
- Groovy Music Publishing (AMCOS)
- Jamestar Pty Ltd (APRA and AMCOS)
- No Aphrodisiac Pty Ltd (APRA and AMCOS)
- Sunshine Entertainment (APRA and AMCOS)
- Vmusic (APRA and AMCOS)

RECORDINGS & ONLINE: Latest news from Richard Mallett

In this update, we have news on the Copyright Tribunal reference for digital music services, APRA|AMCOS’ licensing discussions with user generated content services, our current work with MIPI and some personnel changes in the department... read more>

AMPAL UPDATE: Songfind

As part of its ongoing service to members, AMPAL has developed a new web-based initiative called Songfind. The service will assist film, TV and advertising music users locate songs for their projects and is part of the revamped AMPAL website. Potential music users simply visit the AMPAL website and log on to Songfind... read more>

ROCK THE VOTE: Song of the Year Voting Now Open!

Be part of Australian music history - Vote now for the Greatest Australian Song from the past 12 months.

The APRA Song of the Year is the most prestigious music award in the country and only APRA members (that means YOU!) have the power to decide who wins! The APRA Song of the Year is all about songwriters recognising the outstanding achievements of their peers and honouring the craft of songwriting. Vote Now!

If you don't know your password, contact Mark Eades on (02) 9935 7775.

ANTENNA is published by APRA|AMCOS.

Telephone: (02) 9935 7900. Fax: (02) 9935 7999
Web: www.apra.com.au
Editor: Anthea Sarris.
Any comments, please email comms@apra.com.au

ANTENNA is published by APRA|AMCOS.

Telephone: (02) 9935 7900. Fax: (02) 9935 7999
Web: www.apra-amcos.com.au
Editor: Anthea Sarris.
Any comments, please email comms@apra.com.au