Copyright Coalition of SA ups pressure on legislators

The CCSA represents a broad group of stakeholders including 14 trade and industry associations that represent local companies responsible for key investments in the creative and education sectors. For almost two years, the CCSA has been running a campaign to assess the full impact of the bill on several industries.

CCSA chairperson Chola Makgamathe says the coalition welcomes South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to return the bills back to Parliament for further consideration. However, she says the move is not fully satisfactory and requires further consultation. A parliamentary process is currently under way to reconsider the copyright legislative framework, which also includes the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill.

“While the review is expected to be confined to the six areas of concern in the presidential referral, we believe that this is a tremendous opportunity to recast and redirect the bills as they are central to the economic recovery of the cultural and creative sectors in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Makgamathe said. “The [Copyright Amendment] bill will have a catastrophic impact on the arts industry and as a result it needs to go through a thorough consultation process where all stakeholders can register their fears.”

Makgamathe said the creative industry, which is already thwarted by restrictions on gatherings, would face further challenges if the proposed bills are passed into law.

Earlier this year, the South African government announced new record COVID-19 infection rates. Its efforts to tackle the spread of the virus, which include restricting the number of attendees at events, have seen the industry buckle. With the recent resurgence of COVID-19, earlier restrictions on audience attendance numbers coupled with the newly announced measures have made it almost impossible for performing artists to earn a living.

Makgamathe said the country should be thinking of ways to reboot the economy through every lever at its disposal.

”Instead, we are busy scoring own goals and celebrating with the opposing team," Makgamathe added. “This move makes no social, legal or economic sense, in order to remedy the flaws that are now contained in this bill. It must be subjected to the proper channels and processes as per the country’s Constitution.”