once a member assigned rights to us, there are four dimensions relevant for an optional reassignment that we should implement for both, the most flexible tools of administration for members and most compatibility with international counterparts:

reassignment with regards to

1. individual works
2. individual rights (e.g., live performance vs. radio ariplay)
3. territory (e.g., europe vs. asia or germany vs. UK)
4. a period of time (e.g., withdraw assignment for two months)

we do already cover 1. and 2., but not yet 3. and 4.; from very early on, members have asked for possibilities to organize their own concerts without the need to involve their collecting society if they only play their own material. this can also be extended to pressing your own CDs or similar DIY-activities.

my proposals¶

no. 3. is a no-brainer and should be implemented on a nation state level.

as for 4., this must be carefully designed so it doesn't backfire on members. however, i'd assume that members are capable of discriminating between their own will and something forced on them by promoters or companies. therefore i'd propose

• to link this to the arbitration board so that members can file complaints against entities who want them to waive their rights without their full consent.
• to evaluate the use of that reassignment option on a regular basis and keep the possibility to globally revoke the option temporarily if we come to the conclusion that it is being misused rather than used to the benefit of our members.
• it should be limited to DIY use or charity (members would need to declare this), i.e., not to the benefit of third parties beyond this.
• the use would still need to be registered, but at no cost.