Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Limited (CASH) was incorporated in Hong Kong on 23 September 1977 under the Companies Ordinance, as a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital. It began operation on 1 October 1977 and the establishment of CASH was officially announced at a press conference on 20 October 1977.
Back in 1946, The Performing Rights Society (PRS) in the UK set up an agency in Hong Kong to protect music copyright of its members and members of its overseas affiliated societies and collect performing royalties for them. By the 1970s, a growing demand for local Cantonese music was seen and a group of active and enthusiastic local composers in Hong Kong were of utmost interest to cooperate for their mutual benefits, leading PRS to reach an agreement with a group of music creators in 1977 and establish CASH.
- Administer and enforce collectively the rights of composers and authors of musical works subsisting under the Copyright Ordinance of the HKSAR. CASH at present administers the copyright of musical works for over three million local members and members from more than 80 overseas affiliated societies. All royalties after deduction of its administrative costs are distributed in full to local members and overseas affiliated societies
- Protect the rights of CASH members under local copyright regulations in near 200 territories throughout the world by means of reciprocal representation agreements with overseas affiliated societies
- Educate the public on copyright issues, reinforce the public’s respect of music creators’ works by enhancing music copyright awareness
- Promote and sponsor musical activities, encourage local composition and award music scholarships to enhance the standard of music in Hong Kong
- Administer public performing, broadcasting, cable transmission, new media channels and reproduction rights in the world repertoire of musical works vested by its members and overseas affiliated societies through licensing, and at the same time, ensure music users to use musical works properly
- Distribute collected royalties to its members and members of overseas affiliated societies holding the copyright
- Sponsor local organisations to commission composers to create musical works, and support music-related activities and educational projects to elevate standard in music composition and cultivate talents through the CASH Music Fund
The main responsibilities of the Council are to monitor the internal and external affairs of CASH, set out corporate objectives and strategies, and to review licensing systems and royalty distribution rules regularly. To this end, the Council has established various sub-committees to assist the Council in the respective contexts.
Council of Directors’ Current Members:
Chairman
Prof. Chan Wing Wah, JP
Writer Directors
Mr Chan Siu Kei
Mr Alvin Leong
Dr Mui Kwong Chiu
Mr Tomy Wai
Publisher Directors
Ms Gallery Chow
Warner Chappell Music, Hong Kong Limited
Mr Jonathan Ho
Fujipacific Music (S. E. Asia) Ltd
Ms Carol Ng
Sony Music Publishing (Hong Kong) Limited
Ms Mimi Chan
Joint General Manager
(Membership/Operations)
Ms May Lee
Head of Corporate Communications
Ms Yoko Fung
Head of Documentation and Distribution
Ms Echo Leung
Head of Logistics
Mr Ridgely Wei
Joint General Manager
(Business/International)
Mr Yorkie Wan
Head of Information Technology
Ms Iris Szeto
Head of Media and International Business
