Photo: Collected
New possibilities in royalty and copyright protection
Hamin Ahmed of the band Miles has become the first Bangladeshi to win a place on the executive committee of the Asia-Pacific Music Creators Alliance (APMA). He will carry out this responsibility until the 2026-2029 term. Which post he will hold on the executive committee will be known on 29 October.
APMA has been working since 2016 to build awareness of the voice, copyright and moral and economic rights of music creators in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to protect their interests at the policymaking level. Hamin Ahmed believes that gaining a place on the organisation’s committee will make it easier to speak about the royalties and rights of musicians in Bangladesh.
Alongside Bangladesh, the current APMA executive committee includes representatives from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. Hamin Ahmed said APMA works to resolve such problems as musicians’ rights, their failure to receive proper remuneration, and the disparity in creators’ earnings against the huge revenues of digital music platforms; the organisation is also playing a role in building rights-based systems in new regions.
Sharing his reaction, Hamin Ahmed told Ajker Patrika, ‘Considering my role in Bangladesh’s music scene, APMA asked me to take part in the election for the executive committee. I took part in the election and was elected. Eleven members have been elected. This is the first time anyone from Bangladesh has been elected to this committee. On 29 October it will be known which post I will serve in. Representatives of more than 20 countries are currently working together on this platform. I will make my utmost effort to ensure that the voice and demands of Bangladesh’s music scene reach this forum strongly.’
Besides joining APMA, Hamin Ahmed also holds the office of president of the Bangladesh Lyricists, Composers and Performers Society (BLCPS) and of the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA).
At a glance
APMA is not a separate organisation; it was built as a regional structure of CIAM, the International Council of Music Creators. According to an account published on CIAM’s website on 28 November 2016, the organisation formally began its journey at the World Creators Forum organised by CISAC and the China IP Law Association, and its aim is to strengthen the foundation of CIAM’s policy advocacy on behalf of music creators worldwide.
According to the same account, Japan’s Shunichi Tokura was elected chair of the organisation at its launch and Australia’s Brendan Gallagher vice chair.
Sources
Background source: CIAM, 28 November 2016
