PERFORMING RIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 121, 25 May 1933, Page 11

PERFORMING RIGHTS

AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION

EELATION TO EADIO

United Prcsi Association—By Electrio Tele- j erapli—Copyrieut. \ CANBERRA, May 241 Mr. Justice Owen, the Royal Commissioner who recently inquired into the activities of the Australasian Performing ■ Eights Association, lias pro: pared a drastic report which was tabled in the House of Representatives today. The report recommends legislation controlling the operations of the association. ■■•'■' Among the recommendations he urges that the association should be compelled to compile full lists of all musical works in which it claims to hold performing rights, and shall not lie entited to collect any lees for the performance of works' not specified in this list. He suggests the establishment of a tribunal to'deal with, disputes regarding the use of musical Works and records in. public, to compel tho filing of statements of all fees which the association proposes to collect, also the distribution of such fees. ONE PEE FOR BROADCASTING. The Royal Commissioner recommends that; no fee shall be payable for the relay of any musical work if a performing fee has already been paid by the originating station. No performing right shall exist in respect to the rediffusion of any musical work at such places as cafes, hotels, and ships for the entertainment of the clientele. No fee shall be payable for the performance of any musical work in any place used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes if the proceeds are devoted to those purposes, and no performing right shall prevail where the performance is not directly for private profit. QUESTION OF LEGALITY. Mr. Justice Owen makes other minor recommendations, and urges the Government to determine whether a performing' fee can. or cannot lawfully be claimed fyy the manufacturer of a gramophone record for its use in public. He suggests that an attempt should be made at the next international convention at Brussels to control tho activities of such, monopolies as. the Performing Eights Association and similar societies.