in brief
What services should I register for?
Not sure which Screenrights services you should register for? This In Brief sheet explains each of our services, and the rights that you need to own or control before you register. Always check your contracts carefully to make sure you do own or control the relevant rights and seek advice if necessary. |
Australian Educational Service
Under the Australian Copyright Act, Australian educational institutions can copy from radio and television, provided they enter a licence agreement with Screenrights and pay a fee. They are also entitled to put copied programs on internal networks and to email them to staff and students.
Because this service is provided for in the Copyright Act, you cannot prevent educational institutions from copying or communicating your program. You will, however, receive payment if the program is identified as having been copied or communicated and you control the rights.
Should I register for this service?
You should register for this service if you own or control the right to:
- copy the work from television or radio in Australia;
- communicate copies of the work online in Australia.
New Zealand Educational Service
The New Zealand Copyright Act allows educational institutions to copy from radio and television, and to copy audiovisual material legally made available online. Educational institutions can also make copies available on an internal network and email them to staff and students. Licensed institutions pay a fee to Screenrights and this money is distributed to the rightsholders in the programs that are identified as having been copied or communicated.
Should I register for this service?
You should register for this service if you own or control the right to:
- copy the work from television or radio in New Zealand;
- communicate copies of the work online in New Zealand.
Australian Government Copying Service
State and federal government departments can copy from television and radio provided they pay a fee to Screenrights. This money is distributed to the rightsholders in the programs that are identified as having been copied.
Because this service is provided for in the Copyright Act, you cannot prevent government departments from copying your program. You will, however, receive payment if your program is identified as having been copied and you control the rights.
Should I register for this service?
You should register for this service if you own or control the right to:
- copy the work from television or radio in Australia.
Australian Retransmission Service
Under the Australian Copyright Act, free to air broadcasts can be simultaneously retransmitted by another service, such as pay television and mobile TV, provided a fee is paid for this use. Screenrights has entered agreements with pay television operators, mobile phone companies and various housing developments that retransmit free to air broadcasts. The money they pay is distributed to the rightsholders in the programs that are identified as having been retransmitted.
Because this service is provided for in the Copyright Act, you cannot prevent the retransmission of your program. You will, however, receive payment if your program is identified as having been retransmitted and you control the rights.
Should I register for this service?
You should register for this service if you own or control the right to:
- retransmit the work in Australia.
International Collections Service
If your program is broadcast overseas there may be royalties owing to you from other collecting societies in territories outside Australia and New Zealand. These societies collect royalties for satellite and cable retransmission and, in some instances, for private and educational copying. Download our In Brief sheet on the International Collections Service for more information.
Should I register for this service?
You will need to determine which rights you own or control and in which territories. Download our In Brief Sheet on the International Collections Service for more information.
How can I find out if I own or control the rights to register for a service?
You will need to look at the contracts you have entered into concerning your program. This can include investment contracts, production contracts, broadcasting and distribution agreements and agreements with sales agents. Check carefully which rights you have assigned, licensed or transferred. In some cases it won’t be entirely clear whether a transfer of rights includes the right to Screenrights royalties and you may need to seek legal advice.
More information?
Check out our other In Brief sheets. Our Member Services team is also happy to answer your questions. Email: memberservices@screenrights.org
