MIPI Rebrands As Music Rights Australia

Music Industry Piracy Investigations [MIPI] have today announced that they will be rebranding under the new titled ofMusic Rights Australia [MRA].

A joint body between ARIA and APRA | AMCOS, a statement today said the immediate change "better reflects the organisation's focus on the rights of Australian music creators and performers, specifically its role in advocacy, education and protection."

MIPI have been vocal in their opposition of illegal digital downloads and had hoped that internet service providers would be held accountable for illegal downloading. (Earlier this year the High Court dismissed the notion.) It is expected that the rebrand will give a positive focus to the rights' protection work the MRA does.

Today General Manager Vanessa Hutley, who has held the position since October last year after a five-year stint by Sabiene Heindl, said, "MIPI has always focused its efforts on the three core areas of advocacy, education and protection to highlight the valuable contribution that music labels and publishers make to the Australian economy through their investment in new and emerging talent.”

As part of the relaunch, MRA have launched a new website that will house information on music rights for stakeholders and the public. It also has testimonials from artists and a function to 'Report A Pirate' to information on illegal downloading.

ARIA CEO Dan Rosen said the MRA "performs a vital role in educating the public on the rights of our Australian artists and the damaging effect that copyright infringement has on an artist's ability to earn a living from their creative work.“

While APRA|AMCOS CEO Brett Cottle also claimed it was "vital that the music industry advocates for the rights of music creators and performers, who contribute enormously to the cultural and economic wealth of our country."

As a joint venture, MRA represents over 70,000 songwriters, composers, music publishers and record labels.