The launch of Independents Day 08 has been announced - a global celebration of independent music that will take place during the Fourth Of July weekend. The event, which will be overseen by the Worldwide Independent Network , will take place in the US, the UK, New Zealand, Spain, Australia, South Africa, France, Austria, Japan and Italy, with each nations' trade organization overseeing the country's activities.

Young people today are listening to more music than ever before. Thanks to digital technology they can access it through the internet or even straight to their mobile phone. While this has huge advantages it also raises important security and legal issues. It can leave your children, as well as your home or school computer – and your personal details and accounts – vulnerable.

 

AIRCO is proud to report that our Chairman Eugene Mthethwa has been selected by UNESCO as one of six experts to prepare reports on preferential treatment for developing countries in the perspective of Article 16 of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee's Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversities of Cultural Expressions.

High profile South African musicians have joined forces to record a special song aimed at uniting South Africans in the aftermath of the brutal xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in the country.

  

Please see these stories about Merlin's achivements in Billboard and Musicweek

Mandisa Mpahlwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, has published draft Policy and Bill for public comments on

(a) Policy framework for the protection of indigenous knowledge through the intellectual property system;

(b) Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill, 2008

 

In his latest column on the MIO Website, AIRCO Chairman Eugene Mthethwa has published an open letter to ANC President Jacob Zuma about the need for a 'TRC for the South African Music Industry'. Read the Letter HERE