Royal Commission on Performing Rights

Appointed by the Lyons government by Letters Patent dated 19 September 1932 after complaints from broadcasters, cinemas, dance halls and other users about the charges of the Australasian Performing Right Association. The sole commissioner was Justice Langer Owen, who had just retired from the Supreme Court of New South Wales and served without fee. He began sittings in Sydney on 23 September 1932, dealing first with broadcasting and then with cinemas, theatres, dance halls, hotels and restaurants; in November 1932 the inquiry was widened to cover conditions imposed by gramophone record manufacturers on the public performance of records.

1. 23 September 1932The commission began its sittings in Sydney.
2. 8 November 1932The Attorney-General announced that the inquiry would be extended to claims by gramophone record manufacturers.

The commissioner reported in 1933 (the exact date was not found). He recommended a tribunal to determine disputes over performing right fees and a remedy against groundless threats of copyright proceedings. The government preferred to seek agreement between the parties rather than legislate for a tribunal; a groundless-threats provision was added to the Copyright Act in 1935. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 24 May 1933 as the date the final report was presented.

• Inquiry into performing right fees for copyright music
• Use of copyright music in broadcasting, cinemas and public entertainment
• Conditions on the public performance of gramophone records

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Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.