Government moves to restructure the former Authors’ Fund and �increase assistance� to� authors is great news, says Society of Authors’ President Paul Smith.

He welcomed the $500,000 top-up to the Fund which is now to be known as the Public Lending Right.

“But� the� most significant measure is the proposal� for a shift� from Creative New Zealand to a� new� form of �administration ” said �Mr Smith. �He hoped this would return a greater degree of author control and representation in the scheme, which compensates writers for the use of their works in libraries.�

Mr Smith welcomed the Prime Minister’s willingness to listen and to make long overdue� changes, including the �new name which he said� reflects the present emphasis on rights.

“The whole package recognises and rewards authors’ intellectual property” he said.�
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