The March 2008 issue of Gas Quarterly focuses on issues related to and processes involved in arts royalties across literature, design, music, theatre and visual arts. This edition looks primarily at the Australian context although many of the issues raised are relevant internationally.

The motivation for this issue partly stems from Australian pre-election announcements relating to a visual arts resale royalty scheme but questions relating to royalties have also arisen in recent debates on the commercialisation and dissemination of artistic work through digital media.

The articles by Georgia Blain, Tiana Templeman and Lou Weis demystify the issues facing artists and companies related to royalties. Peter Anderson's piece on the resale royalty scheme frames the discussion around the visual arts and centres it within broader arts policy in Australia. The list of resources in this edition aims to provide a snap-shot of the current state of play and assist in answering some of the key questions around protecting your work and benefitting from new commercial avenues.

Music royalties in cyber space
By Georgia Blain
Australia
This snappy piece gives a straight forward snapshot of the many facets relating to music royalties. Blane succinctly discusses copyright, issues for publishes and reproduction of music performance rights and the collection of royalties through APRA. Also delves into the emerging world of online dissemination and relatively new markets like ring tones and what this means for songwriters.

Literary royalties and emerging technologies
By Tiana Templeman
Australia
This article helps to dispel some myths about literary royalties and outlines the pitfalls and opportunities for authors around e-publishing technologies and their rights.

Australian product design: the parts are stronger than the whole
By Lou Weis
Australia
In this overview it is argued that many Australian product designers work in ways that do not benefit the successful commercialisation of their work. Weis argues that unlike the fashion and film industries that are well supported federally and have organisations lobbying on their behalf there is a serious lack of cohesion in the design sector. "Our entrepreneurial product designers run studios more akin to a visual arts practice." Also provides an example of a successful designer whose business relies on royalties.

Resale royalties and new directions for the arts
By Peter Anderson
Australia
Here cultural policy writer, Peter Anderson, discusses the recent Australian federal arts policy and in particular the renewed interest in the resale royalty rights for visual artists. We are given a glimpse of the pros and cons of such a scheme which raises some questions affecting visual artists as well as their descendants, auction houses and galleries and the administration of a resale royalty scheme.

Australian industry associations that can help you
By fuel4arts
Australia
This alphabetical starter list of organisations and associations in Australia can help you to know where you stand in relationship to your intellectual property. Understanding this area will assist you in the successful dissemination and commercialisation of your and others original work.

Agency agreements
By Arts Law Centre of Australia
Australia
With so many issues relating to the protection of your work and the collection of royalties it may pay to engage an agent to act on your behalf. This page provides practical information about engaging an agent, and how to nurture this relationship.

Musical theatre agreements: Guidelines and notes
By the Writers' Guild of Great Britain
United Kingdom
Collaborating in theatre? These guidelines on collaboration agreements point out the issues for writers, directors and dramaturgs outlining the fundamental what, why, who and how. These notes briefly describe what standard agreements should include – as well as the division of royalty percentages.

How music royalties work
By Lee Ann Obringer
United States
This article provides a step by step approach to how royalties are calculated in the music industry in the US. The site also provides some great related information.

FAQ – Advance and royalties
By Publishing Services
United Kingdom
This British site provides a very clear outline of issues that authors need to address in publishing agreements including: difference between advances and royalties; how to calculate royalties and the differences between published price (pp) and price received (pr).

Droit de suite in Australia
By Bruce Arnold, Caslon Analytics
Australia
'Droit de Suite' or resale royalty right first appeared in France in the 19th Century. This research analyses the debate in Australia, including recommendations and problems in the proposals of various models.

Droit de Suite Down Under: Should Australia introduce a resale royalties scheme for visual artists?
By Hudson, E and Waller, S
Australia
This paper examines the impact that the introduction of droit de suite would have in Australia, and explore other models to such a scheme, given that the authors question whether resale royalties achieve their stated aims. They suggest that evidence indicates that resale royalties benefit established artists and their heirs, and provide little financial benefit to the majority of artists.

Artist royalties from iTunes: New media, same old battle
By Steven Winogradsky
United States
Discusses the differences between two types of income streams for musicians: royalty models and licensing; and the impact of downloadable music on payments; and how these two models can differ greatly in the amount artists will receive from a sale through iTunes or similar services.

The future of music
By Dave Kusek
United States
This site by the author of the book 'The Future of Music' has a great list of blogs discussing all matters relating to the digital dissemination of music. Check out the list on the right hand side.