Copyright or "intellectual property" is probably the biggest issue facing the arts world right now. Actually, strike that - it affects everyone. It encompasses everything from downloading to the right to use an image, sound or text for just about anything. Clearly the internet has been the focus of debate, because it allows potentially infinite reproduction of anything that can be digitised. Many intellectual property owners - e.g. the entertainment industry, but also many that author or publish texts and hope to get paid for them - are arguing that copyright should be more strictly enforced. That's why Kim Dotcom is currently facing extradition to the US; it's also why you get those messages on YouTube saying "This video has been removed..." Is access to information a right or a privilege you should pay for? When does using other people's stuff become stealing? Should there be limits on copyright?

Don McGlashan, besides being one of NZ's best-known composers and performers (The Mutton Birds, The Front Lawn, Blam Blam Blam) is also on the board of APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association) which gathers royalties for Australasian songwriters - as such he has a lot to say about this issue. He is joined by Dr. Matthew Bannister and Kent Macpherson, both tutors at Wintec with a strong interest in copyright issues, and Japanese sonic artist Haco, for what promises to be a lively discussion.