Artists’ royalties go under the microscope 

 
 

The pros and cons of a landmark Act enabling visual artists greater access to the economic benefits from their work will be discussed today by a leading Northern Territory legal identity.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) Law Coordinator, Dr David Price will examine the key features of the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009 (Cth) and question whether it will achieve the declared objectives as part of his presentation, "The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009 (Cth): masterpiece or rough sketch?”, today 17 February.

Dr Price said that while the legislation had received support, notably from the national arts and Indigenous arts communities, the Act has caused widespread concern that in its present form it would not achieve the Minister’s declared objectives.

“Proponents of the resale royalty rights, or droit de suite, scheme argue that the Act will enable visual artists greater access to the economic benefits that flow from the success of their work when resold,” he said.

“They assert that, without such a scheme, visual artists enjoy none of the opportunities available to other creators of copyright works - such as authors of literary works, performers, producers and broadcasters - to benefit financially from copyright in their creations.

“Opponents of the scheme, notably the commercial art and art auction industry, argue that the Act will have a detrimental economic effect on the Australian art market, and impose an unmanageable financial and administrative burden on it.”

Dr Price’s presentation, part of the Faculty of Law, Business and Arts Seminar Series at CDU, will be held on 17 February from 12 noon – 1 pm in Building Blue 1, Room 62, Casuarina campus.