CLAIMS TO COPYRIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 7

CLAIMS TO COPYRIGHT

RECORDS FOR BROADCAST LEGISLATION TO BE ATTEMPTED. POWER TO MAKE AGREEMENTS. PROTECTION OF THE B STATIONS, (By Wire— Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. An attempt may be made during the present session to afford B class broadcasting stations protection against the copyright claims on the use of gramophone records. A private Bill may be introduced by Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Coalition, Riccarton) to bring into operation again the Copyright (Temporary) Amendment Ac', of 1928. B stations unde- the terms of such a Bill would be enabled to settle with the gramophone companies perhaps on a basis of 74 per cent, of their receipts. The suggested pe.lod of the legislation is 11 months as from October 1 next. The 1928 Act empowered the Government to establish a tribunal which could make an agreement on behalf of the Government the broadcasting stations with any compan, or association which comprised a majority of the owners of the record copyrights involved. The tribunal was authorised to agree Ij a maximum charge of 74 per cent, of the total receipts in fees from owners of radio receivers. The legislation covered one year only and enabled the radio broadcasting organisation to enter into an agreement for the use of records at national stations and at certain subsidised B class stations. The need for protecting B stations has been impressed on members of Parliament and on the Government by representatives of the owners, and it has been claimed that a great proportion of listeners rely on the B stations for their entertainment. Mr. Kyle Is preparing his Bill for early introduction, although it may be found unacceptable unless the Government itself takes the matter up,