My husband Lin Onus first became seriously involved in copyright law in 1988 when he became involved in the now-famous case of John Bulun Bulun’s appropriated artwork. In 1986 John’s painting By The Waterhole was appropriated by T shirt company Flash Designs and reproduced on T shirts without his permission. Lin’s subsequent political portrait of John Bulun Bulun (1988) depicts John against a shattered By The Waterhole background (reproduced with John’s permission). Lin was a member of the arts board at the time, and was overheard discussing the issue in a radio interview by lawyer Colin Golvan. Colin contacted Lin and offered to represent John Bulun Bulun free of charge with Lin’s assistance.
court ruled in John’s favour and granted an injunction, and both parties settled before the trial. This was one of the first copyright successes for indigenous people in Australia. Lin became one of the founding members of Viscopy and his estate continues to utilise the services of Viscopy to this day. The peace of mind afforded by Viscopy representation is priceless and our interests are protected at all times. Viscopy continues Lin’s heartfelt cause to protect the copyright of all indigenous and non-indigenous artists – whether they be remote/traditional, urban/contemporary or post-modern. Jo Onus
A legal case was mounted in March 1989 at the Darwin Federal Court. It was the first case of its kind in the country and 13 other artists who had also had their works illegally copied joined the proceedings. The
Top 10 most popular Australian & New Zealand artists represented by Viscopy in 2009 - 2010
Top 10 most popular international artists represented by Viscopy in 2009 – 2010
1. Robert Klippel 1. Pablo Picasso 2. Lin Onus 2. Franz Kupka 3. Emily Kame Kngwarreye 3. Andy Warhol 4. Margaret Preston 4. Lyn Wendon 5. Charles Blackman 5. Salvador Dali 6. Fred Williams 6. Jackson Pollock 7. John Olsen 7. Rene Magritte 8. Peter Mathieson 8. Karl Schmidt-Rottluff 9. Rosalie Gascoigne 9. MC Escher 10. David Dickson 10. Emory Douglas
viscopy ANNUAL REPORT 2010
2010 $ Revenue Distribution to members
2009 $ 3,895,584
2,431,398
(2,884,215)
(1,547,752)
Accountancy expenses
-
(70)
Auditors’ remuneration
(10,846)
(6,800)
Depreciation and amortisation expenses Employee benefits expenses
(14,850)
(6,342)
(630,061)
(387,502)
Lease expenses
(2,422)
(2,200)
Other expenses
(366,127)
(489,107)
(Loss) Profit
(12,937)
(8,375)
Retained earnings at the beginning of the financial year
435,855
632,825
Prior year tax adjustment
-
36,405
Transfer to Reserves
-
(225,000)
422,918
435,855
Profit attributable to members of the company
balance sheet year ended june 2010 2010 $
2009 $
ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents
2,335,271
1,306,222
Trade and other receivables
229,475
297,062
5,156
3,821
2,569,902
1,607,105
Property, plant and equipment
106,139
103,476
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
106,139
103,476
2,676,041
1,710,581
1,963,231
998,572
Other current assets TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables Current tax liabilities
-
-
29,892
16,154
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
1,993,123
1,014,726
TOTAL LIABILITIES
1,993,123
1,014,726
682,918
695,855
Reserves
260,000
260,000
Retained earnings
422,918
435,855
TOTAL EQUITY
682,918
695,855
Short-term provisions
NET ASSETS EQUITY
18