The State of Affairs (3rd June 2016): Concerns over the government’s draft report on Intellectual Property in Australia, ISPA honours Archie Roach AM with Distinguished Artist Award & more!

This week in the music industry: the Productivity Commission’s draft report on the inquiry into Intellectual Property in Australia has raised some concerns within the music industry, and celebrated Australian musician Archie Roach AM received the Distinguished Artist Award at the 2016 ISPA Congress.

Industry concern over draft report on the inquiry into Australian Intellectual Property 

As the deadline for public feedback for the Australian Productivity Commission’s draft report on Intellectual Property in Australia draws to a close today, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) has highlighted their concerns over some of the issues mentioned in the report. The main concerns for the local music industry include the issues of copyright term, geoblocking, and fair use.

Currently, Australian copyright laws apply to a piece of work from the time of its creation to 70 years after the death of the creator. However, in their draft report, the Productivity Commission have suggested to decrease this to 15 to 25 years after creation. This has caused some stir within the music industry since many artists rely on royalties from their copyrighted creations for a steady flow of income over long periods of time.

Geoblocking is the act of restricting a user’s access to certain internet content, according to their geographical location. It is well known that Australians pay a relatively higher price than other nations such as the United States of America, when it comes to entertainment products like music and movies. This has lead to some Aussies using various programs to avoid geoblocking technology, in order to gain faster and cheaper access to digital content. However, in their draft report, the Productivity Commission suggested that the government shouldn’t take extra steps to prevent users from avoiding geoblocking technology. This has raised some concerns about the right of creators to control the distribution of their works.

Also included in the draft report, is the suggestion of replacing the Australian fair dealing policy on the use of copyright works with the  fair use policy used in the United States. If the government does take up this suggestion, it may come with various costs to Australian creators and copyright owners. More facts on fair dealing vs. fair use policy can be found HERE.

The Productivity Commission is expected to release their final report on Australian Intellectual Property in August 2016.

Archie Roach AM receives the Distinguished Artist Award 

Yesterday, 2nd of June 2016, celebrated Australian Indigenous singer-songwriter Archie Roach AM received the Distinguished Artist Award at the 2016 International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) congress in Melbourne. The prestigious award was presented to the musician by respected journalist and author Stan Grant.

Throughout his musical career spanning over 25 years, Archie Roach AM has released eight studio albums and has toured with numerous internationally iconic musicians such as Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman and Paul Simon. One of his most notable musical creations is the song “Took the Children Away”, highlighting the traumatic experiences of Australia’s Stolen Generation, earned him 2 ARIA awards as well an International Human Rights Achievement Award.

Outside of his musical career, Archie Roach AM also works as a social justice campaigner focusing on the welfare of the Australian Indigenous community.

The Roundup 

Mid Ayr, the Brisbane indie-rock band, have released their self-titled debut EP featuring their new single “Vampires”.

The BIGSOUND music conference will return to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from the 7-9th of September 2016. Event and ticket information can be found HERE.

AIR 100% Independent Singles Chart

  1. Flume feat. Tove Lo – Say It
  2. Sia – Cheap Thrills
  3. Flume feat. Kai – Never Be Like You
  4. The Temper Trap – Fall Together
  5. Sia – Alive
  6. Sia – Chandelier
  7. Flume feat. Vince Staples & Kucka – Smoke & Retribution
  8. Vance Joy – Fire and the Flood
  9. Sia – Elastic Heart
  10. The Rubens – Hoops

AIR 100% Independent Albums Chart

  1. Sia – This Is Acting
  2. The Cat Empire – Rising With The Sun
  3. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity
  4. The Screaming Jets – Chrome
  5. Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
  6. Russell Morris – Red Dirt Red Heart
  7. Urthboy – The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat
  8. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
  9. Luca Brasi – If This Is All We’re Going To Be
  10. Tequila Mockingbyrd – Fight and Flight

ARIA Singles Chart

  1. Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla – One Dance
  2. Calvin Harris & Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
  3. Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling!
  4. P!nk – Just Like Fire
  5. The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don’t Let Me Down
  6. Flume feat. Tove Lo – Say It
  7. Gnash feat. Olivia O’Brien – I Hate U, I Love U
  8. DNCE – Cake by the Ocean
  9. Desiigner – Panda
  10. Galantis – No Money

ARIA Albums Chart

  1. Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman
  2. Beyonce – Lemonade
  3. Keith Urban – Ripcord
  4. Meghan Trainor – Thank You
  5. Adele – 25
  6. Taylor Swift – 1989
  7. Prince – The Very Best Of
  8. Drake – Views
  9. Dami Im – Classic Carpenters
  10. Eric Clapton – I Still Do

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