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Educational Lending Right

On 20 August 1999, the Commonwealth Government announced that it will introduce an Educational Lending Right (ELR) scheme.

This will provide payments to eligible Australian content creators (such as authors, editors, illustrators and compilers) and publishers in recognition that income is lost from the multiple free use of books in educational libraries. ELR also acknowledges the important cultural contribution made by Australian creators and publishers.

A total of $38 million over four years will allow for a robust program to support the book and writing industry. Funding for ELR will commence in 2000-01 at $8 million, increasing to $11 million in 2003-04.

The new scheme will operate as an extension of the successful Public Lending Right Scheme which since 1974 has made payments to recognise the free use of books in public libraries.

The operating guidelines for ELR are being developed in consultation with the Public Lending Right committee, which comprises of representatives from the writing, publishing and library sectors.

The introduction of ELR has been supported by peak bodies in the book industry including the Australian Publisher's Association and the Australian Society of Authors.

For more information:

PLR scheme on 02 6271 1650, (toll free) 1800 672 842, email: plr.mail@dcita.gov.au or visit the website www.dcita.gov.au/plr.html

AFC distribution survey

The Australian Film Commission (AFC) has released a survey focusing on the Australian film distribution sector.

The survey was commissioned by the AFC in response to changes in the distribution sector and a growing interest on the part of Australian producers in the way films are marketed, distributed and exhibited in the domestic market. It aims to contribute to the flow of information and views between the production, distribution and exhibition sectors of the Australian film industry and to encourage discussion and strategic thinking.

Issues relating to domestic distribution and the performance of Australian films in the local market place have always been matters of great interest to local producers. For the first time the AFC has collected a range of information and analysis and attempted to explain some of the practical realities of the local film distribution scene.

The survey outlines some of the changes in the marketplace over recent years such as the growth in multiplex cinemas and the impact on patterns of distribution. It provides detailed information about how revenues flow from the box office to the producer and contains interviews with executives from several Australian film distribution companies, including the distributors of some of the recent successful Australian films such as Two Hands, Head On and The Craic.

The preparation and publication of the Distribution Survey forms part of the Australian Film Commission's range of activities as the primary research agency for the Australian film and television industry.

For more information visit the AFC website at www.afc.gov.au

Australian books in demand

A survey of 261 businesses in Australia's book publishing industry has revealed that sales of books by publishers have increase of $85 million from 1995-96 and were valued at $1 035.6 million in 1997-98.

The survey, called Cultural Trends in Australia No 9, Australian Book Publishing 1997-98 was published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It showed that 261 businesses generated a turnover of $1 242 million and sold 111.5 million books.

The businesses employed 4 306 full-time and 391 part-time staff, with 713 people employed on a non-permanent basis and 35 working proprietors and partners. They paid out $205 million in wages and salaries to their own employees and outlaid $88.5 million on royalties and fees.

Exports earned $109.8 million, representing an increase of 37 per cent on 1995-96, but still only 10.6 per cent of total sales.

To help track the progress of the industry in the future, the Commonwealth Government has committed $1.2 million over four years to improve statistical collection under the new package of assistance to the book industry.

Part of the funding will be provided for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to collect annual data on book publishing and retail sales. Trends relating to Australian and educational books will also be monitored.

Copies of the report are available from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on 02 6271 1945. It will also be made available on the ArtsInfo website at www.artsinfo.net.au.

New National Museum Chairman

The future direction of the National Museum of Australia has been strengthened with the appointment of Mr Tony Staley as Chairman of the Museum's Council on 23 September 1999.

Mr Staley takes the helm at a crucial time in the Museum's development as the opening date in 2001 draws closer. Mr Staley brings exceptional knowledge and experience of new technologies to the position. He has a strong understanding of Australia's history following 30 years in public life, including 10 years as a Member of Federal Parliament.

Mr Staley is currently the Director of RAMS Home Loans Pty Ltd and Chairman of Australian Business Access-an Internet security systems organisation. He is also the Chairman of the Energy Industry Ombudsman Board and a member of the Commonwealth Tax Concession Committee, Industry Research and Development Board. His previous experience includes a term as Chairman of the Confederation of Professional Performing Arts and Chairman of the Playbox Theatre.

Our Culture: Our Future

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission's report Our Culture: Our Future, on Australian Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights was launched in September. The launch followed consultations on an initial Discussion Paper released in July 1997 aimed 'to inform Indigenous peoples about the current laws and international developments which affect their rights to use and control their cultural and intellectual property'.

Consideration of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights extends across a complex range of traditional, national and international legal systems that interrelate with policy, protocols and guidelines in use or being developed by cultural institutions, agencies and Indigenous resource organisations.

Agencies with responsibility for aspects of Indigenous intellectual property protection are currently developing a strategic plan, taking account of relevant issues and recommendations in Our Culture: Our Future and drawing on other studies, reports and agency activities in mapping out a practical reference for future development directions.

The Strategic Plan will cover three key areas-education and awareness strategies, legislative developments and operational developments (including protocols and guidelines). A draft is expected for Government consideration within six months.

Contact:

Damian Stevens, Manager Cultural Industries
Intellectual Property Branch DOCITA
phone 02 6271 1605 fax 02 6271 1633
email Damian.Stevens@dcita.gov.au

• Document ID: 11407 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 6:02pm