B CLASS STATIONS

Evening Post, Issue 56, 3 September 1935, Page 10

B CLASS STATIONS

CLAIMS FOE COPYKIGKT

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

'. .Protection from-copyright claims for the use of gramophone records for entertainment ',by B class broadcasting stations is to be. .sought by these stations. On their behalf, Mr. H.. S. S. Kyle (Government, Riccarton). will this session introduce into the House _of Representatives a measure intended to make operative the Copyright (Temporary) Amendment Act of 1928. The proposed Bill will bear the' same title. Recently B stations were served -with heavy claims-for royalties by gramophone, manufacturers, and they complained that .payment of these' claims would seriously-embarrass their existence. . ..: "; ■-■•-.■ .

.■.■ Under ■ this EiU, they state, they would be enabled to settle with the companies on a basis of 7£ per cent, of v their • receipts. The suggested period of the legislation is eleven rhonths as from October 1 this year.

Under the 1928 Act, the' Government was empowered to set up a tribunal which' had the power to make an agreement, on behalf of the Government and the broadcasting stations, with any company or association which the Minister was satisfied comprised a majority of the actual owners of the copyright in such gramophone records.

The tribunal was authorised to agree to-a-maximum charge of 7J. per. cent, of the total receipts in fees-from .the owners, of radio receivers. The Act had a .life of one year, only, and enabled the .Radio Broadcasting. Board tq enter into an agreement with the gramophone companies for the use of records at ■ the. national stations and at certain "subsidised B class stations.

Representations have been made on behalf of the privately-operated B stations to members of Parliament urging them to impress upon the Government the need for protecting these stations from the demands for copyright infringement. It is submitted in support of the request for Government intervention in the matter that the nonsubsidised B class stations are supported by claims having an aggregate membership : of. nearly fifty. thousand, and that a large proportion of-the adult population of-the-country is definitely behind. these, stations in their ''fight for existence."