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The Australian Senate in Canberra has passed a package of amendments to existing copyright legislation intended to streamline court action against music pirates and counterfeiters. The new legislation clarifies the parameters of copyright ownership, extends the civil jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court to copyright matters, increases criminal penalties for importing pirate and counterfeit CDs, and increases the potential level of damages payable to a copyright owner. Stephen Peach, CEO of the Australian Record Industry Assn.—which has been lobbying for the changes—says the amendments will "assist the industry to reduce the high cost of copyright litigation and allow us to use our anti-piracy resources more efficiently." Christie Eliezer



Gert Holmfred, who exited as Universal Music Sweden managing director earlier this year (Billboard Bulletin, Jan. 10), has launched Stockholm-based artist-management company and consultancy the Management. "With the establishment of the Management, the Swedish music industry will get a company that will focus on all aspects of an artist's career, including support with international exploitation and coordination of tours, sponsorship, and TV activities," Holmfred says. "In addition, we will work as consultants to production companies, producers, and record companies." Holmfred has hired former Universal local marketing director Jeppe Vik as manager and former Universal head of human resources Wivi Eriksson as head of finance and administration. JEFFREY DE HART



Leading French music retailer FNAC has launched a high-profile European campaign in support of a lower VAT (value-added tax, or sales tax) rate on recorded music. Throughout May, visitors to FNAC stores in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Portugal will be invited to sign a petition requesting a lower VAT. The petition, also available on the retailer's Web site (fnac.com), will be sent to the European Commission in Brussels at the beginning of June, to coincide with talks on taxation in the European Union. In addition, FNAC stores will discount certain new releases by an amount that would approximate the price with a lower VAT rate; the retailer will absorb the difference in prices. Each CD will carry a sticker stating: "With a 5.5% VAT rate, records would be cheaper." The pricing scheme will run until May 20. VAT on music currently varies between 15% and 25% in EU member states. EMMANUEL LEGRAND



Staff changes continue at Sony Music Europe's London headquarters, as Sony Music Entertainment restructures. Senior VP Tony Woollcott and VP of communications Jonathan Morrish are among the latest senior staffers to exit. Woollcott joined Sony in the early '70s; he took up his most recent role in 1993. He has overseen the opening of Sony affiliates in Russia, Poland, South Africa, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, among others. Woollcott will exit at the end of the month. Morrish, who joined Sony in 1976, will depart in the summer. He is in ongoing discussions with the company regarding a consultancy position. LARS BRANDLE



The Australasian Performing Right Assn. (APRA) will hold its annual music awards May 19 at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel. The winners are decided either by votes from the organization's 13,000 members or by analysis of performance data. Nominations will be announced April 30. Last year, APRA spun off the awards into three separate events to give greater focus to classical music and screen composers, and that structure will again apply this year. The 2003 classical awards will be held Aug. 16 in conjunction with the Australian Music Centre; the screen music awards are set for Nov. 3 with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers. Christie Eliezer



Tokyo-based label BMG Funhouse has set up a "Zomba team" to oversee the integration of Zomba Records Japan (ZRJ) into the company, although for the time being, ZRJ will continue operating out of its own offices in Tokyo. The move is part of the current global absorption of Zomba into BMG, outside the U.K. and U.S. According to a BMG Funhouse statement, "A detailed schedule of further integration of Zomba by BMG Funhouse will be decided upon [following] consultation between the two companies." STEVE McCLURE



Ian Duffell will exit as executive director of Sanity Entertainment, Australia's largest music and DVD retail chain, at the end of this month. The news came as Sanity parent Brazin warned that its net profit for fiscal 2003 would fall 65% to $8 million Australian ($4.8 million). The company says trading for the third quarter (ended March 31) did not meet expectations. Duffell shifted from Virgin Entertainment Group (VEG) to Sanity in 2001 as managing director. He says his exit is not related to Sanity's profit warning.

Christie Eliezer