CISAC and RAO Review Progress and Increased Efficiencies in Moscow

On 18-19 May, CISAC was invited by the Russian Authors’ Society (RAO) to conduct a technical visit to assess RAO’s current implementation of CISAC standards, tools and the use of international best practices. The delegation, including CISAC Regional Director Mitko Chatalbashev, Director of Business Standards and Rules Sylvain Piat and CISAC Consultant Declan Rudden, met with RAO and provided recommendations to consider where relevant as well as support on implementing these recommendations.

During the meeting, RAO gave practical demonstrations of its newly developed IT system on documentation processes for membership, musical works, Audio-Visual cue sheets and publishing agreements. The society also displayed their distribution and post-distribution processes in addition to plans for an online portal so members will have access to their own works documentation and distribution statements. RAO was found to have overall high standards in view of the agreed CISAC standards and best international practices. A few areas for improvement were identified, notably in relation to areas with specific Russian rules and regulations. CISAC will continue working with RAO to address these matters and provide suggestions for future improvement of the authors’ society.

The CISAC delegation also paid a short visit to the Russian Union of Rights-holders (RUR) to be introduced to the society’s internal systems. RUR is a CISAC provisional member and handles private copying remuneration in Russia.