The Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) has paid a record $71.2 million to Australian and New Zealand songwriters, composers and music publisher members.
The dollar figure was a 7% increase of payments made in 2010.
“In an increasingly challenging environment, it is heartening to see royalty distributions increasing for those who create the music,” APRA CEO Brett Cottle said in a statement.
He also pointed out that the biggest issue for songwriters still is illegal downloads. “The biggest barrier to earnings for music copyright owners remains free, illegal content on the web. It is well past time for ISPs in this country to take some responsibility in relation to illegal file-sharing,” he said.
The money was distributed to 182,000 copyright owners for 489,000 compositions.
APRA represents over 67,000 Australasian songwriters, composers and publishers and more than 2 million worldwide with affiliates.
