The National Assembly approved redrafted versions of the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill during a plenary sitting on 5 December 2018.

Both Bills have attracted divergent views from various interest groups with some applauding new protection measures introduced for artists and performers, while others have questioned the economic impact and constitutionality of certain provisions.

The Bills have been transmitted to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence, after which they will be signed into Law by the President.

This is the first time since 1978 that South Africa’s copyright legislation has been updated in its entirety. The new Act will significantly impact a number of industries.