DRASTIC REPORT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 540, 25 May 1933, Page 5

DRASTIC REPORT

PERFORMING RIGHTS UNDER FIRE FROM A JUDGE ROYAL GOMMISSION Canberra, May 24. Mr. Justice Owen, Royal Commissioner, who recently inquired into the activities of the Australasian Performing Rights Association, has prepared a drastic report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day, recommending legislation controlling the operations of this association. Aniong his recommendations he urges that the association should be compelled to compile lists of all musical works in which it claims to hold perf orming rights and shall not be entitled to collect any fees from the performance of works not specified in this list.

He suggests the establishment of a tribunal to deal with the dispute regarding the use of musical works and records in public, to compel the filing of a statement of all fees which the association proposed to collect, and also the distribution of such fees. The Commissioner recommends that no fees shall be payable for the relay of any musical work if the performance has already been paid by the originating station. No performing rights shall exist in respect of the re-diffusion of any musical works in such places as cafes, hotels or shops for the entertainment of clientele. No fee shall be payable for the performance of any musical work in any place used for religious, charitable or edueational purpose, if the proceeds are devoted to those purposes and no performing rights shall prevail where the performance is in private property. Mr. Justice Owen makes other minor recommendations and urges the Government to determine whether a performing fee could or could not lawfully be claimed for the manufacturer of gramophone records for use in public. He suggests that an attempt should he made at the next international convention at Brussels to control the activities of such monopolies as the performing rights association and similar societies.