Co-ordination & Co-operation
The CISAC model contract forms the basis of the reciprocal representation agreements signed between societies that allow each society to operate as a “one-stop shop.” Under such an agreement, a society has the power to authorise the use of any work from the global repertoire for its territory, provided it distributes any royalties collected to the society that manages the work. This efficient system enables authors’ societies to ensure that creators are remunerated for the use of their works in an equitable manner, regardless of the country in which the works are used. As a result, creators also benefit from societies’ collective bargaining power, which works to defend creators’ rights against increasingly powerful international users.
Common Information System
Oriented towards technology, the Common Information System (CIS) represents CISAC’s commitment to providing its members with the necessary means to identify and protect their repertoire in the online world. CIS provides the infrastructure for a worldwide network of databases, as well as manages international standard numbers for the identification of works, such as ISWC (music), ISAN (audiovisual) and ISTC (literary), and parties linked to the creative process (IPI). Following the launch of CIS-Net in October 2004, CISAC societies around the world can exchange information with each other concerning creative works in real-time.
Committees, Working Groups, Think Tanks
Finally, in order to anticipate and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the collective administration of authors’ rights, CISAC has created numerous committees and think tanks to address regional, technical, legal and creative issues. CISAC’s extensive programme of worldwide meetings allow experts, leaders and creators to share their experiences and ideas for innovation.