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Q: Can I register my band name?
A: You can register the name as a business name through the appropriate state department as listed below, not with APRA. You may also wish to consider registering the name as a trademark, although this is a costly and more lengthy process. See Band Names
NSW Department of Fair Trading Tel 02 9286 0007
VIC Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs Tel 1300 55 81 81
QLD Office of Consumer Affairs Tel 07 3246 1581
SA Office of Consumer and Business Affairs Tel 08 8204 9779
WA Ministry of Fair Trading Tel 08 9426 1222
TAS Business Names Office Tel 03 6233 3793
Q: How do I protect my interests when working with co-writers?
A: It is best to have a clear written agreement that states the nature of your collaboration. See Working with Co-Writers (pdf)
Q: I want to give my songs to someone to perform. How do I do this?
A: There are no set rules. Perhaps join one of the many songwriting associations around Australia (see Industry Contacts ), contact a publisher with a special interest in the type of music you write, or approach a band or singer directly to see if they like your material. Networking is your best option.
Q: A band is performing my songs. Can they do this without my permission?
A: Yes, in most cases they can. The venue in which the band plays must hold an APRA licence; it is not the responsibility of the individual bands. The APRA licence gives the venue a blanket licence to authorise the performance of all copyright music.
Q: My song has been put out on a CD compilation album. How do I collect what is due to me?
A: Whoever pays for the recording or CD is liable to each songwriter for the mechanical royalties ie royalties generated from sales of the CD. You can collect these directly from the record company or, if it is an independent release, from the artist. Or, you can choose to become a member of AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) and AMCOS will then collect the royalties on your behalf. See more information on AMCOS membership.
Q: I have performed on an album for a friend. What is he supposed to pay?
A: Whatever you agree to as a suitable fee. The Media & Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) will be able to advise the current rate for a recording session which should give you a starting point for your negotiations. Tel 02 9333 0999 Fax 02 9333 0933 Email meaa@alliance.aust.com
Q: I have made a CD which I sell at venues. Am I supposed to go through AMCOS for the mechanical royalties?
A: If all the tracks on the CD are your originals, the answer is no. If however the CD includes covers of someone else's songs, you will need to approach AMCOS to obtain a licence to record the songs and continue to account to them for all ongoing sales.
Q: I want to make a CD that will include covers of other people's songs - do I need a licence to do this?
Yes. You will need to obtain an AMCOS licence if you want to make a recording of a song composed by another writer. Find out more in Making Recordings and Videos.
Q: I have a dispute with a co-writer over a work - the co-writer is also an APRA member. Can APRA help me resolve this dispute?
A: Disputes over royalty entitlements are expensive, time consuming and often left unresolved. APRA is concerned about such disputes between its members and has established an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system to assist both Writer and Publisher members.
Q: I have a complaint about APRA - how can I resolve this?
A: APRA has a Complaints Handling Policy and Procedure that will ensure that any complaints received by APRA|AMCOS are handled in an efficient, transparent and fair manner. Click here to read our Complaints Procedure.
Q: I am a member of APRA. Can I opt-out of certain APRA licences or can I licence -back a work so that I can negotiate the terms for its performance directly myself for a special occasion?
A: Yes you can. See APRA's Opt-out and Licence Back provisions.
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