November Update: CAB

In April 2019, the office of the President of South Africa was petitioned not to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill into law. It was thought by some that the outcomes of the promulgation of this pending legislation would have devastating effects on creators of work as well as the economy at large. There were also, however, many supporters of the Bill. This has divided the IP community to a great extent with parties pitted against each other and indeed there is no clear-cut way to proceed. Today, the Bill remains on the desk of the President, with no real resolution in sight. Thrust frequently into the media and otherwise in the public domain, incensed debate surrounding the Bill continues day after day. The following post will provide links to what is being said in the news in the hopes that readers will gain an understanding of the debate surrounding the Bill.

• Daily Maverick: DA - Ramaphosa taking South Africa to the brink over Copyright Amendment Bill
• Timeslive: Ramaphosa queries proposed changes to entertainment industry laws
• The Conversation: South Africa’s Copyright Bill is good for digital archives: here’s why
• University of the Witwatersrand: Counsel’s opinion on South African Copyright Amendment Bill and the Constitution
• New frame: The right to read (link no longer available)
• The Conversation: New copyright law will benefit South Africans with disabilities
• Info Justice: Does the South African Copyright Bill promote plagiarism?
• Info Justice: Are Fair Use Provisions in the SA Copyright Amendment Bill far broader than in the US?
• University of the Witwatersrand: Decolonising SA’s copyright law
• Alberton Record: This is why global creative companies are urging Cyril Ramaphosa not to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill (link no longer available)
• African LII; Copyright and A2K issues (link no longer available)
• Mail & Guardian: The Copyright Amendment Bill is a recipe for recolonising education
• Daily Maverick: The Copyright Bill is fundamentally flawed and strips creatives of their rights
• GroundUp: Copyright Bill will make cost of studying cheaper
• Business Insider: The US just announced a review of SA’s place in its biggest preferential trade scheme – because its movie and music companies don’t like the controversial Copyright Bill
• Daily Maverick: DA: Ramaphosa is taking SA to the brink over Copyright Amendment Bill
• News24: Coalition urges Ramaphosa to refer copyright bill back to Parliament
• Africa Print: Printing SA calls upon President not to sign Copyright Bill
• AGOA.Info: R35 billion in South African exports to the USA are at stake in a 'review' just triggered by SA's copyright reform efforts
• Daily Maverick: US at odds with SA over ‘fair use’ in proposed new copyright law
• Business Tech: 5 reasons why the US is reviewing its dealings with South Africa
• Daily Maverick: ‘Fair use’ in new Copyright Bill benefits everyone
• Tech Dirt: US Government threatening to kill free trade with South Africa after Hollywood complained it was adopting American fair use principles
• Business Day: Copyright flexibility opens the door to decisive AI advantages
• Power FM: SAGA Chair Jack Devnarain in PowerFM discussion on rights of actors
• Mail & Guardian: The new copyright Bill could help unlock the doors of learning and culture
• Politicsweb: Artists urge President to reject Copyright Amendment Bill – Coalition for Effective Copyright

As is evident from the above there is certainly a great deal of information and opinion out there. Regardless of what your opinion is, reform is important and it is integral that it take the most just and equitable path possible. What do you think should happen with the Bill? Drop your comments below.

Brought to you by Afro Chic
Image Credit: Markus Spiske