March 2005 - Issue no. 26
Kaye Hawley's Update

by Kaye Hawley
Publisher Services Manager, APRA

A reminder that APRA can now provide publishers with electronic royalty statements, either via an email EDI attachment or on diskette. Please contact me if you would like to use this service. You may also wish to reconsider whether you still want to receive hard copies of your statements as well as an electronic copy and advise me accordingly.

Many of our publisher members have provided bank details to APRA so when the distribution comes around, your royalties can be electronically transferred to your selected account.  Again, contact me if you would prefer this EFT option to the cheque one.

If you have not yet returned your new AMCOS Exclusive Licence Agreement and the Opt Out Categories, it would be appreciated if you could finalise them and forward them to me as soon as possible.

I hope you have had the chance to check out our new website – we welcome feedback of course.  And while you're at the website, don’t forget to log in and check the latest unidentified lists.
Publishers brief APRA staff on developments in publishing

APRA Writer and Publisher Services staff recently had the opportunity to receive a first-hand briefing from Philip Walker, Origin Music Publishing and Michael McMartin, Melody Management.

Phillip and Michael talked about the key issues and concerns facing music publishers and composers in Australia today. They also spoke about how they value the work that APRA does and what services they expect APRA to provide. It was an insightful, open and constructive discussion that staff really benefitted from. We thank Philip and Michael for so generously sharing their time and their industry expertise.
Awards Update

The APRA Music Awards will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney on Monday 30 May. Questions should be directed to Jana Gibson, Corporate Events Manager.

APRA and the Australian Music Centre (AMC) are calling for nominations for the 2005 Classical Music Awards. Application forms are available through the AMC website.  Applications close on Monday, 11th April 2005. The Classical Awards will be held in Brisbane in July 2005, in conjunction with the QMusic Big Sound Music Industry Conference.

The 2005 APRA -AGSC Screen Music Awards will be held in Melbourne this year. Check APRA's Awards Central for updates. 

The APRA NZ Silver Scroll Awards will be held at The Auckland Town Hall, on Monday September 12. This will be the 40th year the Silver Scroll has been presented, so it will be a particularly special celebration. Details, contact Catherine Langabeer. 
APRA steps up program to prevent fraudulent LPRs

It appears that some members have been overstating their live performances. As a preventative measure, and to maintain the fairness and integrity of our distribution system, APRA has strengthened its verification process for LPR claims as follows: 

  1. Gig tracking – APRA’s General Licensing Department maintains a “gig-track” database which records all advertised gigs nationally.
  2. Compliance Officers attend specified gigs to determine:
    a. the number of works performed
    b. the ratio of original works to cover versions performed
  3. Venue check – verification of actual performances will be sought from licensees.

This information will be matched against claims from members. As a further disincentive, APRA is investigating ways to provide financial penalties for members who are found to have lodged negligent or fraudulent LPRs.

Recent Board Decisions


Registration of Background Music Cues
A Working Group will be established to examine the issues associated with enabling publishers to register background music cues. The Group's first priority will be to investigate if there are any  problems with the current registration system which may result in  unpaid or incorrect royalties.

Electronic Royalty Statements for Writers
From D42A, writers may have online access to their royalty statements via the APRA website. The online access will be available to Writer members who have a) email and b) EFT. 

Dramatic Context
With effect from D42A, APRA will account to publishers for dramatic context royalties in accordance with PDOFs (Performing Right Division of Fee).

Welcome to new APRA and AMCOS members

We have pleasure in welcoming the following new publisher members:

  • PLASMA SONIC PRODUCTIONS PTY LTD (APRA AND AMCOS)
  • MUSHROOM MUSIC NZ LIMITED (APRA AND AMCOS)
  • STANDARD MUSIC (NEW TO AMCOS – ALREADY  APRA MEMBER)
  • REACH GLOBAL PTY LTD (APRA AND AMCOS)
  • EUDAIMONIA MUSIC PTY LTD (APRA AND AMCOS)
  • ZAT ZIT PTY LTD (APRA AND AMCOS)
  • RESTLESS MUSIC (NEW TO AMCOS – ALREADY APRA MEMBER)
  • GREY AREA SOUND (NEW AMCOS MEMBER ONLY)
Code of Conduct Review
A public meeting was held on 7 February 2005 to review the content of the Collecting Societies' Code of Coduct. All collecting societies were represented, and there were observers from the Commonwealth and NSW state governments, the ABC and the New South Wales Education Department. While about three minor changes were suggested, there was general widespread acceptance of the Code in its current format. You can read the Code here.

Antenna is published by the Australasian Performing Right Association.
Telephone: (02) 9935 7900. Fax (02) 9935 7999.
Email apra@apra.com.au. Internet: www.apra.com.au
Editor: Kirti Jacobs. Any comments? Please email Kirti, or call her
on (02) 9935 7991.
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