International Updates
Following the passing of new copyright legislation in Greece last year making provision for PLR, discussions are under way between the government and stakeholders to finalise the operational details of the new PLR system. A Presidential Decree is expected shortly to give the go-ahead for Greece’s first PLR system.
In the United Kingdom public library ebook and audiobook loans will qualify for PLR from 1 July this year. Authors will receive their first payments in February 2020.
Under Malawi’s new Copyright Act (2016) a PLR system is to be introduced. The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) will have responsibility for managing the new PLR scheme and is currently putting the groundwork in place for implementation of what will be Africa’s first PLR system.
In Hong Kong the PLR Alliance, launched by authors and publishers five years ago to campaign for PLR, has now got a commitment from the government to introduce PLR. Discussions are under way on how the new system will work.