We are pleased to report that following a series of meetings and discussions with the Inspector General of Police, the three CMOs namely the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), and the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) have been granted the authority to use police during copyright enforcement across the country.
To this end and following our request, Police Commandants across the country have been directed through the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police to give support to our licensing officers across the country during the copyright enforcement exercise.
We thank the Inspector General of Police for this great gesture and support and commit to uphold professionalism and integrity as we execute our mandate of collecting and distributing royalties for our members and ensuring that their copyrighted works are not infringed on or pirated.
To this end and following our request, Police Commandants across the country have been directed through the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police to give support to our licensing officers across the country during the copyright enforcement exercise.
It will be recalled that since 2019, major users of music in businesses and public places such as Public Service Vehicles (PSV), Tourist Service Vehicles (TSV), Commercial Vehicles, hotels, bars, restaurants, salons, etc. have not been complying with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Without the support of the Kenya Police Service, the compliance levels have been below 10% in most instances leading to plummeting in the collection and distribution of royalties to our members.
Section 40 (5) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, obligates the Government to support and protect the intellectual property (copyright) rights of its citizens. This support and protection from the Government comes from the Kenya Police Service who ensure and enforces compliance with the Copyright Act.
The support and protection from the Kenya Police Service shall greatly compliment the efforts of MCSK, KAMP and PRISK in ensuring compliance with the Copyright Act by users of copyrighted works in the transport and entertainment industries.
It’s therefore gratifying to see that our request to the Inspector General of the National Police Service, last week has been granted and communication dispatched to all police commandants across the country to support and work with our licensing officers in enforcing compliance with the Copyright Act.
We thank the IG for this swift and positive response to our request and commit to collaborate with the police to ensure the smooth and professional execution of our mandate.
The music industry is one of the most lucrative businesses with the potential of creating jobs and wealth for our artists. This can only be achieved with proper enforcement of compliance with the Copyright Act so as to ensure optimal collection and distribution of royalties, the support and collaboration with the Kenya Police Service is essential to realize this potential of the Kenyan music industry.
We now appeal to all our clients in the transport, entertainment, hospitality, beauty and service industries who have been contacted by our licensing officers to corporate with them and get the necessary licenses to authorize the legal use/exploitation of copyrighted works in MCSK, KAMP, and PRISK national and international controlled catalog/repertoire in compliance with the Copyright Act.
Sections 26, 28, and 30 of the Copyright Act, 2001, Laws of Kenya, demand that no copyrighted work and related rights shall be used without prior authority (license) from the owner.
We shall therefore appreciate smooth working relationships with the industry players to ensure that their businesses are not disrupted and that we have a smooth implementation of COMPLIANCE with the Copyright Act to curb piracy and other forms of infringement of copyrighted works in Kenya.
Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, MBS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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