The SABC, the SA Screen Federation (SASFED) and the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) signed an agreement on Saturday, 21 June 2008, in Hyde Park, Johannesburgto undertake a joint research project into international best practices regarding procurement of local TV by public broadcasters and the issue of intellectual property rights.

 

The four-month research will be conducted by Mkhabela, Huntley Adekeye Attorneys, with the assistance from Spoor and Fisher Attorneys. Apart from SA, the research is set to be done in countries such as Brazil, Canada, India, UK and US. But, it has been established that the researchers might appoint local consultants in the areas where they won't be travelling in, due to the project's tight deadlines.

The aim of the project is to ensure the interaction and procurement practices in SA between the public broadcaster and the independent production sector reflects international best practice, including the issue of intellectual property rights. It also aims at bolstering local content industries by ensuring that commercial opportunities are fully exploited.

Asked whether the agreement includes creative areas such as music, literary work and others, SABC's Thandiwe Mathibela replied, “Not at all. From now, only TV and film are concerned but of course at time goes by it will be extended to other aspects of the creative industry.”

Please read Issa Sikiti da Silva's full article on the Bizcommunity website