LETTER: The copyright bill gives to creators what those in other countries already have
Those who say the Copyright Amendment Bill will bring industries to a halt are the same institutions that have a monopoly over copyrighted works
Bekezela Phakathi's report on the Copyright Amendment Bill made a mountain out of a molehill (Copyright Bill threatens R12bn in exports to US markets, June 11). This has often been the case with conversations concerning the bill, which has been a much-debated topic in the media over the past few months.
It is important to note what the bill in question does. At its heart it extends the rights of SA creators and performers to own, earn from and create their works. Often, as in the case of the adoption of a “fair use” right to enable transformative works of creativity and technology, the bill is giving to SA creators what those in many other leading countries already have. A lobby group backed by those who benefit from the licensing streams from SA consumers to foreign publishing and entertainment monopolies are crying foul. The Business Day article on trade retaliation is part of this group’s fear-mongering campaign. ..
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