Southern African Music Rights Organisation

SAMRO, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, is a copyright asset management society. It was established by the South African Copyright Act,[2] and aims to protect the intellectual property of music creators by licensing music users, collecting licence fees and distributing royalties to music creators.[3] SAMRO represents more than 15,000 Southern African music composers, lyricists/authors and music publishers.[4] The organisation administers performing rights.[5]

Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPC
AbbreviationSAMRO
Formation1961
TypeNot for profit
HeadquartersBraamfontein, South Africa
Key people
Nicholas Maweni, Chairman[1]
Websitesamro.org.za

History

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (name since 1974) was formed in December 1961[6] under the chairmanship of Dr. Gideon Roos Senior,[7] a former Director-General of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).[8]

SAMRO began operations in January 1962 with 40 South African composers and 13 music publishers, taking over from the UK royalty collecting society PRS.[6] In June 1962, SAMRO was accepted as a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).[9] In the same year, Strike Vilakazi, the composer of the anti-apartheid song Meadowlands became the first black member of SAMRO.[10]

In 2012, SAMRO commemorated its 50th anniversary with a series of events, including the Builders’ Awards, which recognised musicians, staff members and others who had contributed to the organisation over the years.[11]

In 2013, SAMRO launched the Wawela Music Awards to pay tribute to South African composers who have made a significant contribution on the international and local music scene.[12]

On 1 May 2013, SAMRO converted from a company limited by guarantee (a corporate form no longer supported by the Companies Act 71 of 2008[13]) to a Non Profit Company,[14] and now operates under the name of Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPC.

In March 2014, SAMRO announced the transfer of its mechanical rights licensing operation to CAPASSO (Composers Authors and Publishers Association), as recommended by the 2012 Copyright Review Commission Report.[15][16]

Global affiliations

SAMRO has reciprocal agreements with 225 collecting societies in 150 countries allowing it to collect music royalties on behalf of its members around the world.[17]

SAMRO is a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).[18] SAMRO is involved in CISAC initiatives in Africa, including projects affiliated with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),[19] and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).[20] SAMRO is also accredited with BIEM,[21] an organisation co-ordinating statutory license agreements among different countries.

SAMRO is associated with industry trade fairs and music showcases such as MIDEM in France and the World Music Expo (WOMEX), as well as with bodies such as the South African Music Export Council (SAMEX).[22]

Controversies

In 2019 the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) sued a number of former executives for unlawful enrichment.[23] According to the court case, the members of the leadership of SAMRO overpaid themselves by more than R1.6 Million rand. Sipho Mabuse, Sibongile Khumalo, Loyiso Bala, Arthur Mafokate, Relebogile Mabotja, Gabi Le Roux, Jack Jeremiah Mnisi, Rowlin Naicker, Jordaan Niemand, John Edmond and Jeanette Zaidel-Rudolph were implicated in the irregular expenditure.

SAMRO would later become the centre of a scandal regarding the underpayment of royalties to artists, much of this taking place during this leadership's time working for the organisation. [24][25]

See also

References
  1. "SAMRO Appoints New Chairperson of the Board | SAMRO". samro.org.za.
  2. "Copyright Act of 1978". South Africa.
  3. "Company Profile". SAMRO.
  4. "Annual Report" (PDF). SAMRO. 2012. p. 4.
  5. POSA (Performers' Organization of South Africa). "Needletime Rights".
  6. "CISAC: 50 Years of Protecting Intellectual Property Rights". Billboard. 6 November 1976. pp. C-44.
  7. "Gideon Roos". South African History Online.
  8. Crook, Tim (2002). International Radio Journalism. Routledge. p. 62. ISBN 9780203423233.
  9. Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. p. 24. ISBN 9781920299286.
  10. Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. pp. 24–25. ISBN 9781920299286.
  11. "SAMRO Celebrates Legacy with Builders' Awards". BizCommunity. 2 July 2012.
  12. Mathe, Sam (12 March 2013). "Samro unveils categories for first Wawela Awards".
  13. "Companies Act 71 of 2008" (PDF). South African Government. 2008.
  14. "SAMRO Notes, December 2013" (PDF). SAMRO. 1 December 2013. p. 3.
  15. "CAPASSO -The Mechanical Rights hub launched at Music Exchange '14". SAMRO. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  16. "CAPASSO – FAQs" (PDF). CAPASSO.
  17. "Company Profile". SAMRO Foundation.
  18. "Annual Report". CISAC. 2012.
  19. Coetzer, Diane (31 January 2009). "Pay Pal". Billboard.
  20. "Cultural Diversity in Focus at Convention". SAMRO. 21 October 2011.
  21. "Annual Report" (PDF). SAMRO. 2007.
  22. "Licensed to Play". SAMRO Foundation. January 2013.
  23. Ngwako Malatji (10 November 2019). "Musos in trouble with Samro". Sunday World. South Africa. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023 – via PressReader.
  24. Madibogo, Julia. "Artists sign petition to force Samro to pay". Citypress. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  25. "South African collecting society in spotlight after gospel star hits out over underpaid royalties | Complete Music Update". Retrieved 22 June 2022.
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