AMPAL stands with AMCOS, APRA, ARIA, NATSIMO and PPCA in opposing the Productivity Commission’s proposed AI copyright exception

If AI needs our songs to learn, then our songwriters deserve to earn. 

Giving billion-dollar AI companies a free pass to mine copyrighted music without consent or compensation isn't innovation, it’s exploitation. 

AMPAL CEO, Damian Rinaldi said: “They can’t build the future of tech by gutting the future of Australian music. Let’s not rewrite our rules to benefit tech giants at the expense of our treasured Australian songwriters.” 

This proposal threatens not only the livelihoods of Australian songwriters, publishers and rights holders, but devalues their cultural contribution and risks decimating Australia’s creative industries. 

Australia’s copyright laws are not a barrier to progress, they’re the backbone of a thriving creative economy. 

They protect our songwriters.  
They ensure songwriters are paid.  
And they reflect their right to decide how their own works are used. 

This proposal isn’t progress, it’s a shortcut through someone else’s copyright. 

AMPAL Announces 2025 Round 3 MAICC Recipients; Program Extended Through 2026

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of AMPAL’s 2025 Round 3 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Music Publishers Program!  

On top of that, in exciting news for members, Music Australia has confirmed the MAICC Music Publishers Program will continue through 2026, extending opportunities for music publishers to grow their global networks, deepen industry knowledge and discover new opportunities for their songwriters and composers.  

Damian Rinaldi, AMPAL CEO said: 

“We’re proud to back the next generation of publishers flying the flag for Australian music globally. This program is all about long-term impact: opening doors, building networks and creating meaningful opportunities for music publishers and their songwriters. We’re incredibly grateful to Music Australia for extending the MAICC program through 2026, it’s a powerful vote of confidence in AMPAL’s members and the future of Australian music publishing.” 
 
In Round 3, two of our valued publisher members have been awarded funding to represent Australian music publisher talent, at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE 2025) and Music Tectonics 2025 (USA) respectively.  

Congratulations to our Round 3 MAICC Recipients:    

Kristy Lee Peters – Sweat It Out  

ADE 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands | 22–26 October 2025  

Representing one of AMPAL’s newest members and a first-time MAICC recipient, Kristy shared:  

“As someone new to the role of music publisher, I’m incredibly thankful to AMPAL for supporting this next step in my journey. Sweat It Out is a small but passionate independent publisher, and being able to attend ADE, and simultaneously running a first of its kind Aussie x ADE song writing camp is a huge moment for us. It’s setting us up as an exciting and strong voice in global dance music publishing, and I’m proud to be representing Australia on that stage.”  

Evan Buist – Melodie  

Music Tectonics 2025 – Los Angeles, USA | 4–6 November 2025  

Also, a first-time MAICC recipient, Evan said:  

 "As an Australian music exporter—and proudly representing dozens of local artists—Melodie is honoured to be a recipient of AMPAL’s 2025 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) funding. This important support will enable us to showcase Australian music and licensing tech on the world stage at Music Tectonics in LA. We can’t wait!"  

We can’t wait to see the impact these two publishers will make on the global stage, and the opportunities they’ll create for Australian songwriters and composers.  

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia.