MACA Participates in the CISAC Asia-Pacific Committee (APC) Meeting

      (Macao, Dec 1, 2016)–The Macau Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (MACA) CEO Mr. UNG Kuoc Iang and Musical Affairs & International Relations Officer Ms. Fiona CHOI attend the Asia-Pacific Committee (APC) Meeting in Beijing, China (MCSC). The two-day biannual meeting is hosted by the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies (CISAC) during Nov 30 to Dec 1, with the goal to deliberate the development of Asian Digital Initiative and update the operation of the collective management organizations. Prior to the meeting, MACA delegates also attend the World Creators Forum, hosted by CISAC and China IP Law Association, and training provided by CISAC. The APC meeting is supported by Macao Foundation and Air Macau.

      During the meeting, regional representatives report their operating situation, share the amendment of copyright law among the countries and discuss about the challenges in music licensing affairs. With the cooperation of collective management organizations, challenges derived from the digital music development are completed. In general, CISAC gives affirmations to the achievements of MACA, particularly on the recent development and expansion of licensing, especially for the licensing agreements with the six entertainment groups.

      MACA delegates also attend the World Creators Forum, hosted by CISAC and China IP Law Association. MACA CEO UNG Kuoc Iang shares “Current Challenges of Collective Management” with the leader of other CMOs on stage. He points out that protecting intellectual property, raising public awareness in the present fast-pace society is a real challenge and a long and arduous process. Cooperating with the government, MACA aims to turn the challenges in copyright management to the opportunities to raise the public awareness of protecting copyright. Prior to the APC meeting, MACA representatives attend a training session hosted by CISAC, aiming to understand more on international licensing management rules in order to enhance the operation of MACA licensing affairs.

      34 representatives from the authors’ societies across the Asia-Pacific region joined the meeting, including APRA from Australia, CASH from Hong Kong, JASRAC from Japan, FILSCAP from the Philippines, KOMCA from Korea, MACA from Macau, MACP from Malaysia, MCSC from Mainland China, MCT from Thailand, MOSCAP from Mongolia, MÜST from Taiwan and WAMI from Indonesia, PRS from the United Kingdom, KODA from Denmark, SOCAN from Canada, and ASCAP and SESAC from the United States. Representatives from each society were sent to understand the current development in the Asia Pacific regions, as well as to learn from the latest advance and model of the developed societies.

Photo caption: The APC convene in the meeting

Photo caption: MACA CEO UNG Kuoc Iang (4th left) speaks at the World Creators Forum