Southern African Music Rights Organisation

SAMRO, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, is a copyright asset management society. It was established by the South African Copyright Act,[1] and aims to protect the intellectual property of music creators by licensing music users, collecting licence fees and distributing royalties to music creators.[2] SAMRO represents more than 15,000 Southern African music composers, lyricists/authors and music publishers.[3] The organisation administers performing rights.[4]

Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPC
AbbreviationSAMRO
Formation1961
TypeNot for profit
HeadquartersBraamfontein, South Africa
Key people
Nicholas Maweni, Chairman
Websitesamro.org.za

History

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (name since 1974) was formed in December 1961[5] under the chairmanship of Dr. Gideon Roos Senior,[6] a former Director-General of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).[7]

SAMRO began operations in January 1962 with 40 South African composers and 13 music publishers, taking over from the UK royalty collecting society PRS.[8] In June 1962, SAMRO was accepted as a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).[9] In the same year, Strike Vilakazi, the composer of the anti-apartheid song Meadowlands became the first black member of SAMRO.[10]

In 2012, SAMRO commemorated its 50th anniversary with a series of events, including the Builders’ Awards, which recognised musicians, staff members and others who had contributed to the organisation over the years.[11]

In 2013, SAMRO launched the Wawela Music Awards to pay tribute to South African composers who have made a significant contribution on the international and local music scene.[12]

On 1 May 2013, SAMRO converted from a company limited by guarantee (a corporate form no longer supported by the Companies Act 71 of 2008[13]) to a Non Profit Company,[14] and now operates under the name of Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPC.

In March 2014, SAMRO announced the transfer of its mechanical rights licensing operation to CAPASSO (Composers Authors and Publishers Association), as recommended by the 2012 Copyright Review Commission Report.[15][16]

Global affiliations

SAMRO has reciprocal agreements with 225 collecting societies in 150 countries allowing it to collect music royalties on behalf of its members around the world.[17]

SAMRO is a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).[18] SAMRO is involved in CISAC initiatives in Africa, including projects affiliated with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),[19] and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).[20] SAMRO is also accredited with BIEM,[21] an organisation co-ordinating statutory license agreements among different countries.

SAMRO is associated with industry trade fairs and music showcases such as MIDEM in France and the World Music Expo (WOMEX), as well as with bodies such as the South African Music Export Council (SAMEX).[22] Nicholas Maweni appointed as SAMRO's Independent Chairman

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See also

References
  1. "Copyright Act of 1978". South Africa.
  2. "Company Profile". SAMRO.
  3. "Annual Report" (PDF). SAMRO. 2012. p. 4.
  4. POSA (Performers' Organization of South Africa). "Needletime Rights".
  5. "CISAC: 50 Years of Protecting Intellectual Property Rights". Billboard: C-44. 6 November 1976.
  6. "Gideon Roos". South African History Online.
  7. Crook, Tim (2002). International Radio Journalism. Routledge. p. 62.
  8. "CISAC: 50 Years of Protecting Intellectual Property Rights". Billboard: C-44. 6 November 1976.
  9. Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. p. 24.
  10. Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. pp. 24–25.
  11. "SAMRO Celebrates Legacy with Builders' Awards". BizCommunity. 2 July 2012.
  12. Mathe, Sam (12 March 2013). "Samro unveils categories for first Wawela Awards".
  13. "Companies Act 71 of 2008" (PDF). South African Government. 2008.
  14. "SAMRO Notes, December 2013" (PDF). SAMRO. 1 December 2013. p. 3.
  15. "CAPASSO -The Mechanical Rights hub launched at Music Exchange '14". SAMRO. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  16. "CAPASSO – FAQs" (PDF). CAPASSO.
  17. "Company Profile". SAMRO Foundation.
  18. "Annual Report". CISAC. 2012.
  19. Coetzer, Diane (31 January 2009). "Pay Pal". Billboard.
  20. "Cultural Diversity in Focus at Convention". SAMRO. 21 October 2011.
  21. "Annual Report" (PDF). SAMRO. 2007.
  22. "Licensed to Play". SAMRO Foundation. January 2013.
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