Canadian Copyright Collecting Changes Coming for Visual Artists

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, a Canadian performance rights organization, will transfer its visual arts and crafts business to Copyright Visual Arts by Jan 30, to focus on its core work with the music industry.

The move makes Copyright Visual Arts the only copyright collecting agency in Canada tasked with licensing and distributing copyright royalties to the visual arts and crafts sector.

Affected visual artists are advised to join Copyright Visual Arts, which has offices in Ottawa and Montreal. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This new consolidation of services simplifies access to licensing support for visual artists, their estates and other rightsholders," said Marcia Lea, executive director of Copyright Visual Arts.

The move is supported by Canadian Artists' Representation (CARFAC), the national association for visual artists in Canada. National president Paddy Lamb said artists will receive "high-quality service" with Copyright Visual Arts.

Copyright Visual Arts, also known as Droit d'auteurs en arts visuels, was founded in 1990 to help visual artists negotiate payment for the exhibition and reproduction of their work. It offers digital tools, including a new digital licensing service, and is building a Blockchain platform to help artists organize and present their work.

Source: gallerieswest.ca

Editor: IPR Daily-Ann