The South African creative industry is at a critical juncture, and urgent action is needed to protect the rights and livelihoods of content creators. The impending adoption of the Copyright Amendment Bill poses a significant threat to the future of the industry, and it is imperative that all creatives in South Africa come together to stop this bill from becoming law.
The current provisions of the Copyright Bill, particularly the introduction of a ‘fair use’ provision, could have devastating effects on the ability of content creators to control and benefit from their work. This provision undermines the fundamental rights of creators and threatens to cause long-term harm to the very people it claims to protect. Additionally, the proposed limitation on copyright duration to 25 years and the burdensome reporting and registration requirements impose undue administrative burdens on creators and service providers, hindering the growth and sustainability of the industry.
Further, the provision allowing for a ‘contract override’ undermines the autonomy and bargaining power of creators, jeopardising their ability to negotiate fair and equitable terms with publishers and other stakeholders. This threatens to weaken the local creative ecosystem and diminish opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the industry.
It is essential for the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, including creators, industry representatives, and legal experts, to address the shortcomings of the current bill and ensure that any amendments are in the best interests of the South African creative community as a whole.
Therefore, we urgently call upon all creatives in South Africa to join us in signing this petition to stop the adoption of the Copyright Amendment Bill. The National Assembly is due to meet on the 29th of February 2024, and we have only a few days to make our voices heard. It is critical that we act now and urge the National Assembly to protect the future of the creative industry by rejecting this harmful bill.
We cannot afford to sit idly by while the rights and livelihoods of our fellow creators are threatened. We must come together as a united creative community to ensure that the government takes our concerns seriously and makes the necessary amendments to safeguard our rights, promote innovation, and foster a thriving and sustainable creative industry in South Africa.
This is an urgent call to all creatives in the South African industry and the nation as a whole. We must act now to protect our future. Join us in signing this petition and making our voices heard. The time to act is now. – www.Tech-Talk.co.za
STOP CAB!
#ActNow #StopCAB #StoptheCopyrightAmendmentBill #ProtectCreatives #ProtectCreativity
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