Public Consultation Open For Feedback On Singapore’s Copyright Collective Rights Management Ecosystem

16 MAY 2017

16 May 2017 Posted in Press releases

  1. The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) today launched a public consultation to gather public feedback on Singapore’s current copyright collective rights management ecosystem. Suggestions are being sought on how the ecosystem can be enhanced to better meet the needs of creators and users of copyright works in the digital age.

  2. The public consultation will run for one month, ending on 16 June 2017. It is part of a broader overall review of Singapore’s copyright regime, which was the subject of an earlier public consultation in August to November 2016.

Background

  1. Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) manage copyright works for creators. They license out the works to numerous users, collect licence fees for their use, and distribute the monies back to individual creators in the form of royalties.
  1. Therefore, CMOs play a key role by facilitating the efficient and mass use of copyrighted works. Without CMOs, it will be impractical for individual creators and users to negotiate and license the use of the copyrighted works. It is therefore important that the collective rights management ecosystem functions well.
  1. A fuller explanation of CMOs and information on various CMOs in Singapore is found at the IPOS’ website,

https://www.ipos.gov.sg

Summary of Issues

  1. Some of the issues that feedback is sought on include the following:

(i) For creators

  • The computation and distribution of royalties.

  • Having a say in how CMOs function.

(ii) For users

  • The computation of licence fees.

  • The use of technology to ensure efficient provision of usage information.

  • Involvement in setting of licence fees.

(iii) For CMOs

  • How creators and users are able to help CMOs perform their functions effectively.

  • What CMOs can do to help creators distribute their works effectively on digital platforms.

(iv) For creators, users and CMOs

  • Resolving complaints and/or disputes.
  1. The full public consultation paper may be viewed online here (0.7MB)

Invitation for feedback

  1. Members of the public are invited to submit their views by 16 June 2017. They may submit feedback via email or in hard copy to the following address:

MinLaw

Intellectual Property Policy Division, Ministry of Law

100 High Street, #08-02, The Treasury

Singapore 179434

Email:MLAW_Consultation@mlaw.gov.sg

Last updated on 26 Jun 2018