John Denison, the promoter behind several Australian music festivals including Soulfest and Supafest, has been ordered to pay $437,000 in compensatory and additional damages to APRA AMCOS.
In a press release, the Australian music royalties body stated that Mr Denison was ordered by Sydney’s Federal Circuit Court to pay the sum due to “flagrant infringement of the Copyright Act (1968)”.
According to APRA AMCOS, the promoter had accrued the six-figure debt over the last two years with festivals such as Soulfest, Supafest, and others tours and events.
“Judge Street made a number of important comments about the importance of APRA AMCOS, and that the evidence demonstrated that APRA AMCOS was willing to deal with this promoter even with all the difficulties he posed,” said Richard Mallett, Head of Revenue at APRA AMCOS.
“He said that it is to AMCOS AMCOS’ credit that it made so many genuine attempts to license the events so that it could promote live music while still protecting its membership.”
“And it was pleasing to note he also acknowledged APRA AMCOS’ essential role in promoting live music performances in Australia.”
“We maintain APRA AMCOS’ members are among the most vulnerable service providers when it comes to promoters like this.”
“Venues, caterers and artists are able to withhold their services – but songwriters’ work cannot be withheld ‘after the fact.’ Their only recourse is to trust in the courts and their membership to APRA AMCOS, to protect their rights.”
“I read in Fairfax Media that Mr Denison has said, on record, that he’s been sued for a long time and that he is an expert at this…”
“…so I was not surprised that the Judge found that the conduct of Mr Denison demonstrated an intentional disregard for the licensing requirements and the interests of the copyright owner, and demonstrated a level of dishonesty.”
“APRA AMCOS licenses more than 6,600 one-off events annually and there are 60 major event promoters who are licensed with us.”
“The ruling provides an assurance to these compliant businesses that there is a one-in, all-in approach to licensing.”
