Access...an e-newsletter for Creator Affiliates

May 2012  

James Romanow (Credit: Gregory Varano)

Nancy Gerrish (Credit: Gregory Varano)

In talking to James Romanow and Nancy Gerrish, the co-chairs of the Access Copyright board of directors, it is definitely the latter. Romanow is a wine journalist based out of Saskatoon and Gerrish is President, School Division at McGraw-Hill Ryerson in Whitby, Ont.  

At the March meeting of the board of directors, a decision was made to discontinue the practice of the creator and publisher members of the board holding separate caucus meetings. The decision is an effort to emphasize and promote a working environment among the board that is open, transparent and collaborative. It recognizes the common interests that bring creators and publishers together around the Access Copyright board table.

Recently, we spoke to James and Nancy about this decision and why it is important.

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The 2012 Access Copyright AGM Head Table (from left to right: Penney Kome, James Romanow, Nancy Gerrish, Ron Brown and Maureen Cavan). (Credit: Gregory Varano)

Challenges and opportunities took centre stage at the 2012 Access Copyright Annual General Meeting in Toronto on March 23.

The Access Copyright co-chairs, Penney Kome and Nancy Gerrish, outlined many of the recent successes of the organization during their address to meeting attendees. They highlighted the recent signing of a voluntary licence with the University of Toronto and Western University, the results of a Payback satisfaction survey that showed an 83% satisfaction level with Payback and 70% of affiliates either satisfied or very satisfied with the courtesy of Access Copyright staff, the signing of 47 new licences, Access Copyright's efforts in bringing together our affiliates and member organizations to raise their concerns about Bill C-11, and the launch of a©e Creator and a©e Publisher.

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2011 began with the implementation of The Copyright Board of Canada Interim Tariff that maintained the "status quo" of the existing post-secondary licence. The Copyright Board felt it was reasonable for Access Copyright to file the tariff, given the unwillingness of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) to negotiate with Access Copyright.

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Access Copyright faced a culmination of licensing and legislative challenges in 2011. It was a year that saw us stand our ground and make tough choices, while looking forward to the future with promise. In an environment of adversity and revenue challenges we were still able to achieve some victories that delivered tangible benefits to our affiliates.

In 2008, the board of Access Copyright received the Friedland report with detailed recommendations on how to improve Access Copyright's distribution policies. Those recommendations were discussed and debated by the board and implemented over a two-year time period.  

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In 2011, Access Copyright signed 47 new copying licences in the corporate and education sectors.

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In 2011, Access Copyright worked hard to cut costs and improve our business processes.

The hard work has paid off and in 2011, we cut our operating expenses by just under $700,000 compared to 2010.

The deadline to make your Payback claim is May 31.

All affiliates who joined Access Copyright before December 31, 2011 are eligible for this year's payment.

For more information on Payback and to make your claim, please visit our website.

Receive Your Payback Payment Faster with Direct Deposit

Visit our direct deposit page to download our enrolment form.

Encouraging and nurturing the cycle of Canadian creativity. It's at the heart of the Access Copyright Foundation.

Access Copyright has released its distribution plan for 2012. Access Copyright will be distributing royalties once a quarter by combining different distributions into one payment per quarter in an effort to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

View our 2012 Distribution Plan.

Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act, is currently undergoing third reading in the House of Commons. This follows the conclusion on March 14 of the work of the special legislative committee struck to examine the Bill. The committee passed eight amendments to the Bill.

None of the amendments address the concerns that have been expressed by many in Canada's cultural community about the Bill, including expanding the Copyright Act's existing fair dealing amendments to allow three new allowable purposes, including education.

Roanie Levy, Access Copyright's general counsel and director, legal and external affairs, will be taking part in a panel discussion on Bill C-11 as part of CARFAC's ART + LAW National Conference in Ottawa from June 8 to 10. "Copyright: The Fair, the Unfair and the Artists Left Behind" will look at the impact that Bill C-11 will have on artists, including the addition of education and parody as fair dealing exceptions and how to protect copyright on the web and through social media. Joining Roanie will be Casey Chisick, partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Ysolde Gendreau, professor of law at the University of Montreal and Steve Seiferling, IP lawyer and legal counsel for Mosaic Potash.

The panel discussion will take place on June 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association had the pleasure of hosting Erin Finlay, manager of legal services at Access Copyright, for the seminar "Copyright Issues in a Digital Era" in Calgary (April 19) and Edmonton (April 20). Participants included magazine writers, editors, publishers and marketing consultants, and there was something for everyone to sink their teeth into. The association also had a small group of attendees at both events, providing ample opportunity for questions and discussion.

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You get your home insured; you get your automobile insured. These things are important. But what about your health?

Unlike home and auto insurance, which you often pay into and never have to use, health premiums offer many benefits, including dental care, vision care, physiotherapy and prescriptions.

As a Canadian creator, your work enriches the cultural fabric of the country. Signing up for the Writers Coalition Program is an investment in yourself!

Benefits of the Writers Coalition Program

• Not-for-profit insurer
• Unbeatable service - we only service artists
• Affordable, comprehensive coverage
• Convenience of a drug/dental card
• Medical is not required to purchase coverage

To enroll in the Writers' Coalition Program today, please visit the program's website.

Access Copyright is a proud member of the Writers' Coalition Program. As an Access Copyright affiliate, you are automatically eligible to join the program.