Kenya Copyright Board investigating online piracy

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has announced that it is investigating cases of online piracy through social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp.

In a statement on Friday, January 31, 2024, KECOBO acting executive director George Nyakweba the piracy involves e-newspapers, popular TV content, movies and pirated subscription codes.

“The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has received complaints from several entities concerning the infringement of their works online and through social media platforms notably on Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp. Information available indicates that several Facebook and WhatsApp groups have been formed for the sole purpose of sharing e-newspapers, popular TV content, movies and pirate subscription codes,” Nyakweba stated.

“There are also persons offering pirate PDF or soft copies of books. Similarly, other websites offer illegal pirate live streams affecting live football broadcast signals. This is to inform the public that these acts constitute an infringement under the Copyright Act more particularly the exclusive right of making available, offering for sale and rental infringing Copyright works.”

Nyakweba says any person who circumvents technological protection measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to works protected under the Copyright Act is guilty of copyright infringement.

Warning on piracy

He has also warned that manufacturers and distributors of devices or software used to circumvent technological protection measures are equally guilty of an offence under the Copyright Act.

“Be warned that under the Copyright Act, any person found committing the above offences shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or both,” he added.

“KECOBO, in conjunction with the Communication Authority of Kenya is working closely with the social media platforms and has commenced investigations on these incidences with a view to close down and pursue legal action against owners of infringing social media accounts. Infringement of Copyright attracts both criminal and civil liability for those found culpable.”

Nyakweba says the ongoing pirate activities undermine respect for intellectual property rights of right holders and the ability for them to make a decent living from their creative works.

“This also exposes innocent users to the risk of providing personal information and data to persons who may use it for illegal purposes. Meanwhile, KECOBO welcomes any information that may lead to the arrest of perpetrators of piracy via social media,” he added