South African music industry portal MIO has announced the dates for the 2008 Moshito Music Conference. Africa’s premier music conference and trade exhibition celebrates its 5th anniversary in Newtown, Johannesburg from 10-13 September 2008

 

The influential South African Gospel Music Industry have their first ever awards, dubbed the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards, which will be presented by cellphone giant Cell C at the International Convention Centre in Durban on 24 August 2008.

 

World-famous African music festival Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) is now receiving applications from artists interested in performing at the festival in Zanzibar, 12 - 17 February 2009, and "we encourage South African music groups (of any style) to apply, in case they are interested and available to participate."

 

The American Independent Music body A2IM has published a position paper outlining their opposition to the controversial Orphan Works Act, which is rapidly moving through Congress.  

 

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.

 

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.

  

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

 

AIRCO is pleased to announce special discount packages for its members at London Calling 2008, 19-20 June, Earls Court, London. London Calling 2008, subtitled "Future Of The Music Business" is the UK’s biggest international music business trade event (3,445 paying visitors last year)