An independent review of UK collecting societies, including DACS, is currently taking place. We call on our artists, estates and licensing customers to take part – by Tuesday 28 February 2014.
Ensuring our codes of conduct are fit for purpose
The review, led by the former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks CBE, has been initiated by 12 UK collecting societies, including DACS, via our representative body, the British Copyright Council.
Two years ago we put in place codes of conduct outlining how we operate to increase our openness and transparency. These followed a set of core principles aimed to regulate our practices and align ourselves with Government standards.
As part of the review, Walter Merricks is seeking views from anyone who deals with either of the collecting societies concerned, to help assess whether our codes are working.
He said:
“The creative industries and the rights they generate form a significant contribution to the UK economy, and the internet has changed many of the business models that used to make copyright protection simpler. In the digital age the work of the societies is more complex and it is vital that they are seen to operate to the highest standards.
I’ll be looking to see whether the codes form a self-regulatory framework in which not only rights holders and licensees, but also the public, the government, and other copyright bodies, can have justifiable confidence.”
Call for views from our artists, estates and customers
To assist the review, we’re asking everyone we work with to send Walter Merricks their feedback based on their dealings with DACS.
You can take part if you are an artist or estate who receives royalties, a licensing customer, or gallery or auction house who submits sales details for the Artist’s Resale Right.
The review is also open to anyone who deals with either of the 12 participating collecting societies, which include PRS for Music and Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).
To participate, you are asked to answer a set of questions via the Independent Code Review website, either by completing a survey or emailing you answers to [email protected] by Tuesday 28 February 2014.
You may find the guidelines on how to respond useful for your answers.
Following feedback, a report by Walter Merricks will be published in May 2014. Will we report on the outcomes, so keep an eye on our latest news for updates.
Visit our About Us section to read our Code of Conduct and Distribution Policies.
Image: The artist Gavin Turk in his studio. © Brian Benson, 2012