SAMRO gains a foothold in Oceania with Mechanical Copyright Reciprocal Agreement

Background (standing) L-R: Leon van Wyk (GM International Affairs,
SAMRO) and Scott Morris (Director of International Relations,
APRA-AMCOS) Foreground (seated) L-R: Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo
(Vice-chairman of the Board,SAMRO) , Nicholas Motsatse (CEO, SAMRO)
and Brett Cottle (CEO, APRA-AMCOS)

12 June 2007

SAMRO has signed a reciprocal representation agreement with the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Society (AMCOS) for administration of mechanical rights in Australia and New Zealand.

The reciprocal agreement with AMCOS is part of a continuing process of signing agreements with Mechanical Rights Societies throughout the world, a prerequisite to the successful licensing of music rights.

The significance of this is that it enables SA composers whose works are reproduced in Australasia to receive compensation through SAMRO and reciprocally the same would apply to the Australasian composers whose works are being reproduced in SA.

“Our agreement with AMCOS is one of the highlights of a process that has seen us sign similar agreements with most leading Mechanical Rights societies throughout the world. We are therefore delighted with the progress that we are making. We have had a long standing relationship with the leadership of APRA-AMCOS and this agreement completes that relationship,” said Nicholas Motsatse, the Chief Executive Officer of SAMRO.

“We are thrilled to have entered into a reciprocal representation agreement for mechanical rights.  This will further enhance our very close cooperation and ties, especially with the ability to issue single licences incorporating both performing and reproduction rights for on-line applications," said Brett Cottle, CEO APRA|AMCOS.

An entourage from SAMRO, which included amongst others, Mr. Nicholas Motsatse, CEO; Mr. Leon van Wyk, General Manager: International Affairs and Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo, Vice Chairman of the Board, witnessed the signing, which coincided with the CISAC Copyright Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

About APRA|AMCOS
www.apra.com.au

The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) collects and distributes licence fees for the public performance and communication (including broadcast) of its members’ musical works. Public performances of music include music used in pubs, clubs, fitness centres, shops, cinemas, festivals, whether performed live, on CDs or played on the radio or television. Communication of music covers music used for music on hold, music accessed over the internet or used by television or radio broadcasters.

The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) collects and distributes mechanical royalties for the reproduction of its members’ musical works for many different purposes. These include the manufacture of CDs, music videos and DVDs, the sale of mobile phone ringtones and digital downloads, the use of production music and the making of radio and television programmes. Since 1997, APRA has managed the day-to-day operations of the AMCOS business.