AAA adds voice to PLR transfer opposition

The Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA) has added its voice to complaints about the possible transfer of administration of the Public Lending Right (PLR) from the current body based in Stockton-on-Tees.

In a submission to the consultation launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport into transferring the administration of PLR away from the current Registrar, the AAA has backed the body, praising its cost efficiency.

The AAA also criticizes the suggestion that PLR functions should be transferred to the British Library, the government’s preferred choice, arguing that the Library does not have authors’ interests at heart.

Peter Straus, President of the AAA, said: “The AAA strongly opposes this proposed move and the DCMS’s preferred option to hand the PLR to the British Library is totally inappropriate.
“The DCMS should be supporting this country’s authors, who already face a multitude of challenges, not making things even tougher for them.”

Other organizations have spoken out against the move and argued that the Registrar should remain in place, including the Publishers’ Association, the Society of Authors, and the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society.

The consultation closes on 30th July.