SA: SAMRO to sell subsidiary DALRO

DALRO is a multi-purpose copyright organisation established in 1967. It focuses on administering copyright for literary works such as books, poems, newspaper articles and a range of other artistic and dramatic works like plays, musicals and visual arts.

The subsidiary will be acquired by a management consortium led by its managing director, Lazarus Serobe.

“DALRO has operated well under the guardianship of SAMRO and we look forward to our continued relationship, as entities with a common purpose of protecting copyright,” Serobe said. “The buyout transaction will give DALRO ample opportunity to continue to service the sector as an independent, sustainable going concern.”

SAMRO chairperson Nicholas Maweni said the move was one of several organisational restructuring outcomes in line with a strategy to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency at the two organisations.

Speaking to Music In Africa about the transaction, Maweni said the deal had been in the pipeline for some time, but was delayed due to the highly contested Copyright Amendment Bill. However, the buyout would not have any structural bearing on stakeholders or artists outside of DALRO’s staff complement.

“The deal has been in the process for a while but took time to conclude, and it was also impacted by the Copyright Amendment Bill," Maweni said. “DALRO does not represent composers and the use of musical works. It’s a separate business dealing with theatre, copying of manuscripts, and grand rights to musicals and fine artists, so this management buyout will not affect SAMRO composers at all.

“Serobe has been managing director of DALRO for the past five-and-a-half years and will take the entire staff complement of DALRO. But there will be no other changes to SAMRO except that it will be able to focus more closely on its key constituencies.”