Further to our response concerning RiSA’s invitation to join SAMPRA earlier this week, we also wish to notify our members and other independent labels and record companies that AIRCO is obtaining an opinion on RAV’s proposed licence agreement from legal counsel.

We are of the view that RiSA is trying to put pressure on independent record companies to sign mandates immediately when there is no need for any such urgency.

We are in the process of consulting with relevant government departments and setting up meetings with broadcasters and ICASA to discuss the licensing of our members’ audio visual rights.

As mentioned in our earlier communiqué on ‘needletime’, AIRCO is also in touch with our independent affiliates around the world on this issue to ensure that we learn from their experience.

We will make recommendations to you within the next few weeks regarding how you should proceed on both needletime and video licensing. In the meantime we advise you not to sign any mandates or agreements with anyone in this respect.

Should you have any concerns of your own regarding this development please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
                    
Irfaan Gillan
Chairman
8th June 2007