At this Thursday’s meeting the Society of Low Power FM Broadcasters Inc will host represetatives from both APRA and RIANZ in a question and answer session.

Here is the list of questions submitted to be asked so far

• I was told by an APRA employee that an LPFM station would most probably never be asked for a play list log. If I was asked to submit a log, what format would it need to be in and how long would it need to cover?
• If I never submit a log of songs I’m playing who gets the money I’m paying?
• I don’t quite understand the billing period as stated on the APRA website. >Do we tell you when the station starts up and we get billed from there >or are the billing dates fixed?
• What are the legalities of listen-again (time-shifting) broadcasting via the Internet? ie.  As we are a small, independent, low-power station is it possible to put all our on-air content online via a listen-again player? (Stations such as the BBC in the UK are allowed all their content online to listen again for a week (via the iPlayer) after it goes to air).
• Perhaps this could be covered by an extra Apra fee?
• What are the future plans for New Zealand to develop this area?  
• APRA website http://apra.co.nz/music-consumers/broadcast-music-radio-or-tv/radio-low-power.aspx  Where on this page is there any information as to how to obtain or pay a license. Why is it not possible to fill in a form and pay online?  
• RIANZ. Where on your website is there anything about LPFM licensing?
• It is quite often a challenge finding music to play. Does the APRA / RIANZ license allow the user to copy music. If yes, are stations allowed to set up a private ftp server to share music with other licensed stations?
• I have a question for PPNZ. I don’t play NZ Artists, and I would think most of the ethnic stations wouldn’t either. Why should we pay an organisation who claims it exists to promote and foster local artists when we don’t use their material.

Please submit your questions either here as a comment or to webmaster@lpfmnz.com

***NOTICE TO ALL LPFM FOLK***

WHO: The Society Of Low Power FM Broadcasters Incorporated

WHAT: A special meeting to hold a Question and Answer session with a representative each from APRA and RIANZ

      APRA  = Australasian Performing Right Association

      RIANZ = Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Inc

WHEN: Thursday 22nd July 2010 at 7:30pm

WHERE: Auckland VHF Group (Branch 66) Clubrooms, Mount Roskill (see below for details on how to get there)

WHY: Every LPFM station broadcasting copyright material is required to licence their broadcast by way of a yearly fee paid to these organisations, and it is in your interest to understand the reasons and mechanics of this. It is also your chance to ask pertinent questions that you wish to have answers to.

Below is an extract from an email that was sent out earlier this year.

The Society invites ALL interested parties to come along, and either put the burning question you have to the APRA or RIANZ representative, or simply listen to what they have to say. It would be better if you were able to submit questions in advance, as a courtesy, and so that the representatives are able to prepare their answers properly, but you will be able to put your question from the floor.

The doors will open at 6pm, so if you wish to meet some of the folk, and discuss other matters in an informal atmosphere, come along earlier! Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided.

BRgds,

Peter Shaw

Secretary

The Society of Low Power FM Broadcasters Incorporated Auckland New Zealand

LPFM June 2010

GUL_LPFM_Additional_information_2010

The next meeting of the society will be on Thursday 10th June at the Auckland VHF Group Clubrooms, Hazel Avenue, Mt Roskill.

Topics of discussion will include Spice FM overmodulation and poor quality signal.

David Robinson, Senior Planning Engineer of the Ministry of Economic Development has advised by email that the proposed change date on 1 June will now not apply as submissions are still being considered. He continued to advise that planning policy requires a 28 day transition period so stay tuned

The draft minutes of the 3rd Executive committee meeting of 2010 are now in the members area.