asked the Minister for Industry and commerce if he has received any complaints in relation to the activities of the Performing Rights Society Limited, a London based organisation, which has the right to impose levies on premises in which copyright music is performed; and if he will consider making a thorough investigation into the manner in which this Society imposes such levies or tariffs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Levies by Performing Rights Society.
11.
Representations have been received from time to time regarding the activities of the Performing Right Society Limited. As I informed the Dáil in reply to a previous question, there is not, at present, any statutory control over the fees charged by the owners of copyright for the public performance of their works. The Copyright Act, 1963, however, contains provisions whereby a licensing scheme operated by an organisation of copyright owners such as the Performing Right Society Limited may be referred for decision to the Controller of Industrial and Commercial Property by a representative organisation of persons requiring licences.
A number of regulations necessary under the new Copyright Act are in course of preparation. It is expected that they will be ready for promulgation in the near future when I hope to be able to fix a date on which the Act will come into operation.