PERFORMING RIGHTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 October 1932, Page 5

PERFORMING RIGHTS

AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY DOUBTS REGARDING COPYRIGHT FEES (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copy r i gh t) SYDNEY, 13th October. At the performing rights inquiry, Mr H. P. Williams, general of tlie Australian Broadcasting Commission, outlined the case for tlie broadcasting stations and tlie public. He said that there was a serious objection to tlie heavy unit charge of 23 41 d demanded by tlie Australian Performing Rights Association. This charge would become 9s Cd per item if relayed from tlie main station. It was also proposed to increase tlie present charge in tlie event of additional listeners taking up radio, so that wim tlie number of licensed listeners reached, say, 700,000, tlie unit charge would become 4s (i.jd, aggregating £50,000 per year, which was preposterous. He emphasised that there was a serious doubt respecting the largo quantity of music now regarded as copyright whether the original authors or composers had not long since ceased to receive any share of tlie fees. There was also grave doubt whether a considerable amount of the music which should pass into the possession of the community was not being exploited for copyright fees. ■