CISAC, AAS and the Copyright Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Discuss Promotion of Collective Management

On 4 May, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron and Regional Director for Europe Mitko Chatalbashev joined Azerbaijan Authors Society (AAS) Chairman and CEO Ismayil Mammadkarimov for a meeting with the Copyright Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Chairman Mr Kamran Imanov.

Taking place prior to a major international conference on “The Importance of Collective Management Organisations in Supporting Creativity and Promoting Cultural Diversity” for authors’ societies, government officials, copyright and industry professionals in Baku, talks centred on increasing cooperation between the Agency and CISAC to support the local society AAS. AAS still faces many obstacles in licensing and collecting authors’ royalties in a country that has recently hosted many international sports and entertainment events, during which music was widely played.

During the meeting, CISAC, AAS and the Copyright Agency agreed to create a joint working group to further improve collective management of rights in Azerbaijan in line with international best practices in the field.