CISAC: 90 Years In The Service Of Authors And Composers

By Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the world’s leading network of authors’ societies, has published a book looking back at its 90 years in existence. The CISAC Story – 90 Years in the Service of Authors and Creators Worldwide, was distributed in three languages at the Confederation’s General Assembly last month in Paris.

According to CISAC, the book is “a key resource on the history of copyright and authors’ rights” and details the work and biographies of CISAC’s contributors, beginning with the French playwrights as its founders.

The CISAC Story further recounts the journey of the confederation from the post-World War I period to today’s challenges in the digital age, all the while admitting and protecting new artistic and literary repertoires and fostering creativity. Admitting extends protection to new artistic and creative works.

Founded in June 1926 by a small group of authors’ societies, with its headquarters in France and four regional offices, CISAC now represents the interests of more than 4 million creators across the world, from all artistic and literary fields. Now leading CISAC is electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre in cooperation with a highly multicultural and interdisciplinary group.

More information can found in a CISAC online article from its 2016 General Assembly.

Alexandra Nightingale is an intern at Intellectual Property Watch. She completed her Bachelors in Law at the University of Sussex and holds an LLM degree in International Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. During her Masters, she developed a strong interest in Intellectual Property, particularly patents and the aspects relating to global health. Her research interests now also include geographical indications and trademarks.