The final report of its review of the Code of Conduct for Copyright Collecting Societies has been released by the Department of Communications and the Arts’ Bureau of Communications and Arts Research (BCAR).
BCAR said the review made 20 recommendations which sought to update the code to make it relevant to a modern copyright environment as well as strengthening overall confidence in the system.
“The review recommends enhancing the availability of explanatory information to increase clarity around the code’s role and objectives,” the Bureau said.
“This will help collecting societies, their members and licensees better understand the code’s place within the broader regulatory environment.”
It said more standardised reporting to improve understanding of how licence fees were calculated and funds distributed, were among the recommendations.
“Easier access to information about collecting societies and their processes is also proposed, to enhance transparency of collecting societies’ operations more broadly,” it said.
“Recommendations to improve complaint and disputes handling will support better engagement between collecting societies and their stakeholders, while separating annual and triennial review processes will facilitate more robust review arrangements and enhance all stakeholders’ confidence in the system.”
BCAR said its report followed the first comprehensive review of the code since it was introduced more than 15 years ago in a landscape very different from the digital environment that exists today.
“The recommendations of this review are designed to modernise the code and provide flexibility to collecting societies in meeting their obligations to all stakeholders, while achieving efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.
“Taken together, they will improve overall efficiency in the system and confidence in the collective management of copyright.”
BCAR’s 89-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
