The Southern African Music Rights Organisation, (SAMRO), has signed a reciprocal representation agreement with the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Society (AMCOS) for administration of mechanical rights in Australia and New Zealand. The reciprocal agreement with AMCOS is part of a continuing process of signing agreements with Mechanical Rights Societies throughout the world, a prerequisite to the successful licensing of music rights. SAMRO is the largest society of composers and authors of music including their publishers on the African continent.
The significance of this is that it enables SA composers whose works are reproduced in Australasia to receive compensation through SAMRO and reciprocally the same would apply to the Australasian composers whose works are being reproduced in SA.
“Our agreement with AMCOS is one of the highlights of a process that has seen us sign similar agreements with most leading Mechanical Rights societies throughout the world. We are therefore delighted with the progress that we are making. We have had a long standing relationship with the leadership of APRA-AMCOS and this agreement completes that relationship,’ said Nicholas Motsatse, the Chief Executive Officer of SAMRO.
“We are thrilled to have entered into a reciprocal representation agreement for mechanical rights. This will further enhance our very close cooperation and ties, especially with the ability to issue single licences incorporating both performing and reproduction rights for on-line applications,” said Brett Cottle, CEO APRA|AMCOS.
An entourage from SAMRO, which included amongst others, Mr. Nicholas Motsatse, CEO; Mr. Leon van Wyk, General Manager: International Affairs and Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo, Vice Chairman of the Board, witnessed the signing, which coincided with the CISAC Copyright Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
