CISAC and Global Copyright Leaders Call for Fairness in Georgia's CMO Accreditation Process

CISAC has joined international copyright organisations IFRRO, SCAPR, IMPF, and IFPI, to strongly oppose a decision by the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – SAKPATENTI – to exclude the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA), a CISAC member,  from the country’s process for accrediting collective management organisations (CMOs). 

In a letter sent to the Georgian SAKPATENTI on 12 February 2024, the umbrella copyright organisations representing rights holders from across the creative sector, expressed concerns about the fairness and integrity of the accreditation process. It pointed to the negative implications for copyright management in Georgia and international copyright relations. 

The right holders groups advised that the decision stifles competition, potentially harming rights holders by limiting their options to less qualified CMOs. It disrupts the accreditation for authors rights and neighbouring rights in Georgia, and also undermines the management of international rights, given the statutory transfer of bilateral agreements to the newly accredited CMO. This is a move that is unprecedented on the global stage.

CISAC and its partners are  urging the Georgian government to reconsider the accreditation process to ensure it adheres to principles of fairness, transparency, and international best practices. The international organisations also call for  measures that would protect the contractual autonomy of foreign CMOs, aiming to preserve the credibility of Georgia's copyright system and protect the interests of the global creative community.

The joint letter can be downloaded here.