Kenya Copyright Board picks firm to collect, distribute artistes’ royalties
By Lutta Njomo, June 6, 2024Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has granted a license to one Collective Management Organization (CMO) to end wrangles in the collection and distribution of royalties.
In a notice signed by KECOBO chairperson Joshua Kutuny, the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) was granted the mandate to manage all rights in music and for performers in the audiovisual sector.
According to the Board of Directors, the move will help cut costs and increase royalty distributions.
“The Board also noted lack of transparency in collection and distribution of royalties which has resulted in suffering of the artists, led to enhanced corruption and looting of the artists’ hard-earned money,” the notice read in part.
“To cure the wrangles between the CMOs and to make it easy to regulate the affairs of royalty collection and distribution, the Board approved the licensing of a single organization to manage all the rights in the music sector. This will help cut costs and increase royalty distribution to artists to at least 70 per cent of the collection,” it added.
However, the Copyright Board clarified that PAVRISK will not manage rights for publishing and film producers for the time being.
“The Board instructed the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) to start collection immediately and is calling all stakeholders to offer support to ensure smooth transition,” the notice emphasised.
“The Board will shortly commence the process of negotiation for new tariffs to be published in the Kenya Gazette by December 2024 to respond to the call to lower the cost of doing business for copyright work users.”
Five companies which applied
According to the copyright board, five organisations had expressed interest in winning the licence to collect and distribute royalties.
The five firms included the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, Film Makers Rights Achievers of Kenya (FRAK), Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), PAVRISK and Collective Management Services.
Before making the final decision, the board also called for public participation where various stakeholders raised their opinions on the organization.
Thereafter, the board settled on PAVRISK to collect and distribute royalties.
“It is important to note that this process of licensing the CMOs is coming at a time when the government has advised the Board to streamline the sector to check on mismanagement of resources, unfair distribution of royalties and help cut down on the operation cost for the CMOS. The Government has also advised on the need to increase allocation for the artists to at least 70 per cent of the royalties collected,” KECOBO added.
Leadership change
The Board of Directors at the same time oversaw the transition in the office of the Executive Director with George Nyakweba taking over from Edward Sigei in an acting capacity pending the recruitment of the new CEO to be completed by September 2024.
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