Timeline of the
South African Copyright Bill
Copyright Review Commission
Copyright Review Commission headed by Judge Ian Farlam setup by the Department of Trade and Industry to review concerns raised by the music industry. The commission originates from the Presidential Conference on Creative Industry in 2009.
Copyright update announced
Minister of Trade and Industry announces the Copyright Act will be amended so as to update the act and give better protection to artists and based on recommendations in the Copyright Review Commission.
First DTI Roadshow
Deparment of Trade and Industry(DTI) conducts a number of roadshows around South Africa to get public comment.
First draft of the Bill published
DTI publishes the first draft of the Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment. Over 100 comments on the bill received by the DTI by a wide range of stakeholders.
Boksburg conference
Largest of the stakeholder conference to get public feedback on the Copyright Amendment Bill held in Boksburg attended by over 500 people.
ANC Legal Research workshops
ANC Legal Research Group organises a stakeholder workshop on the Copyright Amendment Bill attended by Prof. Karjiker, Prof. Owen Dean, Graeme Gilfillan (NISA), Adv. Zodwa Gumede and Advocate Natasha Pather from the Johannesburg Bar followed by debates and smaller workshops.
Second round of public submissions
DTI opens another round of public submissions for stakeholders to make comments on the Bill, each receiving twenty minutes to present to the parliamentary committee drafting the bill.
Bill split in two
Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry decides to split the Performers Protection Act off from the Copyright Amendment Bill so that musicians’ rights could be dealt with first.
Additional calls for public comment
Additional calls for public comment on both Bills requested by parliament. Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry appointed two task teams to improve the drafting of the bill. One team was largely made up of members of the Copyright Alliance.
Final draft
Final draft of the two bills finalised by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry.
Bills passed by National Assembly
Both the Copyright Amendement Bill and Performers Protection Bill passed by the National Assembly in the South African Parliament. Thereby moving the two bills onto the National Council of Provinces.
Council of Provinces
Council of Provinces meets to review the two bills.
Call for another round of public submissions
Council of Provinces calls for public submissions on the final draft of the Bill with a 22 February 2019 deadline.