CA internal pages_Luke Jurevicius generic_FNL
CA internal pages_Amanda Marburg generic_FNL
CA internal pages_Josephine Wilson generic_FNL
CA internal pages_Luke Jurevicius quote_FNL
CA internal pages_Amanda Marburg quote_FNL
CA internal pages_Josephine Wilson quote_FNL

2016–17 Year in Review

 

The Copyright Agency has had a strong year in performing our core task of supporting our members, who include Australian publishers, writers and visual artists.

Our members invest in Australian content, produce rich material that helps educate Australian students across the country, and they tell our stories in ways that make us think afresh about what it means to be Australian or see things from an Australian perspective…

Read the full Chair’s Message

In 2017, we had a pleasing record year with net income of $126.6 million, and payments of close to $120 million to members.

The payments were all made on time and will contribute significantly to sustaining Australian creativity.  The revenue we collected came from a wide range of licensing agreements including with the schools’ sector, universities (which we renegotiated last year) and with media intelligence companies such as Isentia and Meltwater…

Read the full CEO’s Message
Overview

Key Achievements

The Copyright Agency has had a strong year in performing our core task of supporting our members, who include Australian publishers, writers, surveyors and visual artists. In 2017, we achieved a net income of $126.6 million, and payments of close to $120 million to members. The payments will contribute significantly to sustaining the Australian creative industries.

Highlight One

Serving our members

Our members tell us they are concerned about two things: their copyright payments and advocacy for a fair copyright system. In 2016-17, we mounted two successful campaigns, Free is Not Fair and This Book/Song Changed My Life to provide channels for members to express the importance of a fair copyright framework.

Highlight Two

Supporting Innvovation

In 2016-17, Reading Australia reached out to 10,000 teachers every month and provided new Indigenous resources, LearningField leapt ahead in high schools and we doubled our Fellowship for authors to $80,000. The Cultural Fund supported 107 projects; 78 to organisations and 29 to individuals through its Career Funds and fellowships.

Highlight Three

Licensing at work

From sporting codes to a celebration of outback artists, copyright licences deliver fair payments to creators. All 18 AFL Clubs joined many other leading corporate citizens by securing copyright licences to improve workflow and return fees to creators. Other companies displaying best practice are: Mitsubishi, Energy Australia, Blackmores and Crown.

Highlight Four

Supporting Australian Creativity

Australia’s richest and most prominent literary prize, the Miles Franklin Award celebrated 60 years of giving in 2017. We have provided more than half a million dollars to the award since 2004 – the year the Cultural Fund began. Attendance at the 7th Annual John Fries Award Exhibition, which featured the 12 finalists, increased by 59% to 2570, making it its most successful year yet.

Highlight Five

Merging with Viscopy

After a five-year agreement between Copyright Agency and Viscopy, the two organisations began the formal arrangements to merge. Between them, they represent tens of thousands of members, ranging from visual artists to journalists, cartoonists, surveyors, authors and publishers. The Merger will take place by way of a "Scheme of Arrangement" which requires Supreme Court approval.

Luke Jurevicius [Photo © Sam Roberts]

Artist Profile

Luke Jurevicius

I remember when I received my first Copyright Agency payment: it came at such an important time. What Copyright Agency does – what protecting the copyright laws does – is it inspires you to do your best possible work...

Photo by Sam Roberts

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