Asia-Pacific societies join training on Documentation, Distribution and Binding Resolutions in Bangkok

On 26 and 27 of June, 42 representatives from 14 societies in the Asia-Pacific region joined together for two days of training in Bangkok, Thailand. Organised by the CISAC Asia-Pacific Regional Office, the sessions focused on ‘Documentation, Distribution and Binding Resolutions’.

CISAC’s Asia-Pacific Committee Chairman Satoshi Watanabe opened the workshop, highlighting the importance of sharing experiences in documentation and distribution (D&D). Publisher representatives in the Asia-Pacific region also participated in the training, strengthening communication with the staff of societies who are responsible for D&D. Presentations from five societies followed, providing updates on the various distribution systems within the region. External expert Declan Rudden presented a comprehensive overview of CISAC’s Binding Resolutions in the documentation and distribution area and related best practices. This involved an overview on distribution rules and methods, distribution guidelines, templates to improve transparency, and contribution to CIS-Net. A discussion on ‘regional issues’ concluded the training, addressing best practices in dealing with double-bytes characters data, cable broadcasting and live concert distributions and online music registration and searching portal.

 CISAC’s Binding Resolutions complement the key principles of its Professional Rules and aim to maximise the accuracy and efficiency of royalty distribution to rights holders. For Asia-Pacific societies, as well as those from throughout the world, these training seminars continue to offer hands-on guidance in improving transparency between societies and adherence to Professional Rules for CISAC members. Asia-Pacific had a 5.6% growth rate in total royalty collections for 2015.