-- --
SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE:
In an effort to increase awareness and understanding on the concept, scope and nature of intellectual property (IP), the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and its steering committee partnered with the Association of Independent Recording Companies of South Africa to host the first Gauteng Creative Industries IP Conference.
Chairman of the Gauteng Creative Industry Public Sector Steering Committee, Francina Nstimane, expands: Our joint vision is to use the conference as a platform to identify intellectual property knowledge gaps among concept developers, content developers and content/concept owners in the creative sector and identify tools to bridge those gaps.
The two-day event, which ran from 6 to 7 February 2020, was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
At the inaugural event, the focus was on the four key creative industries that generate the largest revenue streams in the country film, animation, craft and music - and the IP issues faced by these industries.
The first day of the conference commenced with an introduction to IP, using Solomon Linda's song, The Lion Sleeps Tonight ,as a case study. The song, which was composed and recorded by Linda, a Zulu singer and hunter, in 1939, became a worldwide sensation with at least 150 cover versions thanks to the popular Disney movie, The Lion King.
IP is a crucial element in any SMME, stressed Nstimane. The ownership of content assets is what makes it possible to license concepts or the use of creative products in exchange for royalties. Therefore, if we do not start to find tools to assist artists to gain knowledge on how to own what they create, the current trend of IP theft will continue leaving artists to die without enjoying the fruits of their labour, she added.
An overview of the different forms of intellectual property - namely patent, trademark, design and copyright - were presented by the deputy chairperson of Association of Independent Recording Companies (AIRCO), Stanley Khoza. The presentation was followed by break-away sessions hosted by AIRCO, Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO), Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the Gauteng Film Commission and Animation SA.
The purpose of these breakaway sessions was to provide participants with a clear understanding of the specific IP challenges faced by their industry. Industry sessions were facilitated by consultants from the aforementioned organisations and guest speakers.
Nstimane expands: In each session, there was a focus on the current legislative processes and how the outcomes of these processes will either build or destroy the growth in each sub-sector. There were discussions on contracting and various legal options available in case of a copyright dispute. Another significant focus was that of evaluating what happens to IP concepts throughout the four value chains as a concept moves from one step to the other.
Nick Cloete, chairman of Animation South Africa (ASA), led the animation session and invited guest speaker Stephen Hollis from Adams & Adams to speak on the value of IP and how copyright protection and enforcement will be affected if the current draft of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performance Rights Bill were to succeed.
Hollis expanded on the implications of any changes to the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performance Rights Bill , including concerns that the bills have not been adapted to provide protection in the digital space.
Cloete gave practical insight into how these laws would affect the various business models, including the lack of legislation alignment between domestic IP legislation and global legislations.
We need to demystify and simplify legislation without losing any complexity, so it's more readily accessible for professionals, asserted Cloete. It may be useful for the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to commission explainer videos of copyright law so it's easier to understand for those who don't understand it, he added.
Unathi Malunga, a writer, publisher and entertainment lawyer, led and facilitated the session targeted at the film industry. In her presentation, Malunga went through the purpose of IP, with a focus on what happens to IP as it moves throughout the entire production value chain.
A wide variety of discussions and concerns arose from Malunga's presentation, such as the duration and expiry of copyright, access to information on IP and access to professional services.
Speaking about her session, Malunga said: The response was amazing and people expressed how much the session really, really, opened their eyes.
People are hungry to learn about this area. I have started writing a series of books to educate this industry - the problem has been taking the time off to write. I need to complete them as soon as possible and get them out for people! she added.
Malunga also said that more needs to be done by the government to ensure that people are educated about IP legislature in the creative industries. We cannot be having high-level discussions without the foundation being in place. All government and other sources of funding have focused on the creative and production process - nobody is investing in the professional services underpinning this industry and ensuring that people are educated about it. I have spoken and spoken to the government institutions at length about this but there has been no progress, Malunga concludes.
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Pinterest
-- --
Africa Stories
25/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar comes looking for Thandiswa at Nomeva's...
25/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: A furious Bra Zakes unleashes his anger on SphamandlaDon't miss Thursday, 25 April's riveting episode of South African soapie...
25/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Understanding recidivism in South African prisonsDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Co...
25/04/2024
Prison Journalism: A glimpse inside Barberton PrisonJean-Pierre Le-Roux is a divorced father of two beautiful children. He was incarcerated for 20 months for po...
25/04/2024
Riverside Studios presents world premiere of MOFFIE' stage play MOFFIE delves into toxic masculinity and trauma in post-apartheid South Africa, reflecting...
25/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kobus assigns Pretty a big caseDon't miss Thuresday, 25 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Someone makes the call to have Lehasa killedDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sphamandla and his goons force Keletso into their car...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A man smiles in the face of his friend while he deceives himDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapi...
24/04/2024
Endearing character from The Simpsons' is killed off' after 35 years, ...
24/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar continues to ask questions about ThandiswaDon't miss Wednesday, 24 April's riveting episode of South African soapie...
24/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 23 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
24/04/2024
Endearing Simpsons character killed off' after 35 years, fans in shockAn often-seen yet seldom-discussed character from the popular show The Simpsons drops...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Pretty is shocked by what she finds out about LehasaDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
23/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes asks Isaac to hold off going to the cops un...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 22 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Inside Mr Kgomo, Eunice's romance? Skeem Saam' May teasers reveal that Melita will be jealous of Mr Kgomo and Eunice's ...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle takes a huge risk on her quest to save her daughterDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Sc...
22/04/2024
WATCH: Artists covering their favourite classicsArtists often watch other performers to get some of their inspiration. Check out some of these classic famous so...
22/04/2024
WATCH: Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Par...
22/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Funani informs Isaac about Nkosi seeing his hijacker ...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: The carpet is pulled out from under NhlamuloDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv ...
22/04/2024
LGBTQ writers asked to submit their storiesWriters have been asked to submit their short stories (up to 20, 000 words) for an upcoming anthology called Just LG...
22/04/2024
[Watch] Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Pa...
22/04/2024
Isaac Mutant: HemelBesem gave me R2, 500'Cape town rapper Isaac Mutant claims he was paid less than everyone else's fee for the use of his music in Sho...
22/04/2024
Afrikaans (free) television shows you can STILL watchAfrikaans television shows are making a comeback through AfriForumTV. However, not everyone wants to see sh...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Virginia learns Sonto and Sakhile slept togetherDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Smo...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kgosi reveals the details of what he witnessed Lehasa doi...
21/04/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire' loses more viewers on DStvTshedza Pictures' isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire' lost more viewers in March and was plac...
21/04/2024
Youngins' fans praise actor Thabiso Ramotshela as MahlatseSouth Africans praise former The River' actor Thabiso Ramotshela, who plays Mahlatse in Showm...
20/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 19 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa panics when she learns of possible evide...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Khwezi stares death in the faceDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on DSt...
19/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith refuses to talk to Zola and to discuss the matt...
19/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
19/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimesDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the re...
19/04/2024
House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and OnaThe House of Zwide' May teasers reveal that Soka will date both Ona and Mampho and get caught. Will h...
19/04/2024
Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their loveBeer is one of the world's most popular beverages. We asked several celebrities about their favourite brews or ...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from TapsDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.t...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedd...
18/04/2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAYTaylor Swift will release her highly anticipated record The Tortured Poets Departme...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motionDon't miss Thursday, 18 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story
by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software-making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...
18/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...
18/04/2024
Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...
18/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
18/04/2024
Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...
-- -- 
