Pretoria - The Department of Trade and Industry is to host an Intellectual Property workshop do address challenges in the creative industry.
While the creative industry is one of the key strategic industries in South African and has the potential to create meaningful economic opportunities to various types of artists, the industry has over the years experienced serious challenges that have made it impossible for artists to grow and make a meaningful contribution to the country's economy, the department said.
The event, which will be held on 15 and 16 September, is a result of a meeting between Deputy Minister Thandi Tobias-Pokolo and the creative industry earlier this year.
Industry members expressed concerns regarding collection and distribution of royalties, piracy and copyright mismanagement, insufficient government support in addressing their challenges and ineffective and inefficient existing legislation.
The purpose of the workshop is to mobilise the public about the negative impact of piracy and urge them to adopt an anti-piracy attitude.
It is also intended to educate and create awareness about the interventions contained in the existing legal framework, the Copyright Act and related matters, which can assist and empower artists.
To enable the department to address the challenges and concerns raised, the department is in the process of establishing a review commission to assess the inefficiencies pertaining to the distribution of royalties and all matters connected thereto, and provide a report with recommendations.
Members of the public have been invited to submit applications and nominations of five suitable members to serve at the Review Commission. Submission of applications and nominations can be directed to Mukona Mphidi at 012 3941629 or mmphidi@thedti.gov.za or 012 394 2629.
The commission will conduct assessment of the existing legal framework regulating efficient collection and distribution of royalties to be paid to artists, musicians, performers and composers, and advise on the gaps that exist.
