The South African Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, which is currently considering the Copyright Amendment Bill [B13-2017], has extended the deadline for the public to submit comments, and has postponed the public hearings which will now be held in August.

The formal notice seeking comments on the legislation – with the new dates – is available here (PDF).

The email sent from the Committee to stakeholders informing them of the change is below.

[Related: May 30 post on an open letter to Parliamentarians from six legal scholars from the Global Expert network on Copyright User Rights regarding limitations and exceptions to copyright in the new bill.

LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE TO STAKEHOLDERS:

Dear Stakeholder

In light of the Committee decision taken on Tuesday, 30 May 2017 please note the following;

  1. No public hearings on 27, 28 and 29 June 2017.
  2. Closing date for submission is Friday, 30 June 2017.
  3. Public hearings will be scheduled in August 2017.
  4. Final dates for public hearings will be communicated by 30 June 2017.

Clarity with regard to public participation at briefings.

All meetings are open to the public but please note that during a briefing the interaction is between the Department and Members.  The purpose of the briefing is to afford Members with the opportunity to engage the Department on the content of the Bill. Members of the public in attendance can first hand hear the Department’s views on the Bill and, if they have opposing views on what the Department is saying, can include their concerns in their submissions. It also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to get clarity on issues of concern during such briefings.

Public participation in the legislative process is critical to ensure an open and robust process and Parliament has taken the necessary steps to ensure this. Because of the great public interest in the Bills the Committee has called for submissions and will scheduled public hearings affording stakeholders with the opportunity to express their opinion on the Bill.

Attached is the revised advert.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via email if you require further clarity.

NB: It would be appreciated if you can forward this email to other stakeholders.

Regards,

André R Hermans
Committee Secretary: PC Trade and Industry