Screenrights distributes royalties to rightsholders from a number of different sources. This information focuses on royalties from Australian and New Zealand educational institutions that copy, email and put programs on internal networks. It looks at how we monitor what has been copied or communicated, so that we know who to pay.
There are two ways copying and communication can be monitored
Educational institutions can keep a record of every copy they make and also record every time they communicate a copy. This is called record keeping and it requires the institution to report all copying and communication activities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Alternatively, copying and communication can be monitored under a sampling system. A representative sample of institutions report all copying and communication for a short period only, with a variety of educational institutions being sampled under this system at any given time. These records are then used to give a picture of what’s been copied and communicated across the sector in that period.
Most Australian and New Zealand educational institutions have elected to have their copying and communication practices monitored under the sampling system.
Advantages of sampling over record keeping
- Accuracy
The administrative burden of keeping full records generally leads to under reporting. While no sample is completely accurate, the information we obtain from the sample is more accurate than what we receive from full record keeping.
- Cost
Sampling is a more efficient means of gathering the data, and as we deduct our administrative overheads from the royalties we distribute, limiting costs means greater returns to our members.
How sampling works
The sample is conducted by an independent survey authority, Nielsen. Each education sector (schools, TAFEs and universities) take part in separate surveys, and Nielsen selects institutions according to size and location in order to have a representative sample across each sector. The survey also runs throughout the year – at any point in time, 365 days of the year, a selection of educational institutions are being sampled. Prior to the survey, staff at the educational institution are trained in their obligations for the survey. During the survey, all teaching staff and any other staff with copying responsibilities, keep full records of any copying and communication done by or on behalf of the institution.