ACCC reauthorizes APRA for a further five years

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reauthorized APRA for another five years to administer and license performing rights in musical works.

ACCC Commissioner Dr. Jill Walker explains, “The ACCC recognises that APRA has been taking steps to address the concerns of its stakeholders, and that these steps represent a significant improvement in APRA’s arrangements. The conditions of authorisation formalise many of the changes commenced by APRA.”

APRA AMCOS’s Sydney-based CEO, Brett Cottle adds, “We welcome the recognition that APRA’s arrangements achieve what can often otherwise be difficult for writers or music users to do on an individual basis.”

Cottle pointed out that as a result of public consultation, APRA has put in place improvements including “a review of our dispute resolution processes, the development of an independent and robust dispute resolution service that will be launched in early 2015 and the provision of Plain English information on our licensing solutions for music customers.”

APRA’s arrangements were first authorised by the ACCC and Australian Competition Tribunal in 1999. This is the fourth re-authorisation.

In other news, the APRA AMCOS is expanding its ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Music Office. It is seeking expressions of interest for project development consultants for its Starting Ground initiative. Their aim will be to enhance access to the mainstream music industry, develop career pathways and to improve Aboriginal participation in the music economy for emerging and mid-level career artists. This will be done through mentoring partnerships, skills workshops and a consultation and scoping report.