Politicians and those using music for campaigns have been put on alert to clear with Music Copyright Society of Kenya on the use of Music during the campaigns period.This was said by MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua where he has started a countrywide campaign on copyright.
Music Copyright Society of Kenya CEO Dr.Ezekiel Mutua has said the music industry is one of the most lucrative businesses with the potential of creating jobs and wealth for artistes.He said this can only be achieved with proper enforcement of compliance with the Copyright Act.
Dr.Mutua was speaking during the National Awareness Campaign to sensitize the police and users of copyrighted musical works in earnest in the Lower Eastern part of Kenya at Masii in Mwala, Machakos County.He disclosed that MCSK is the largest and oldest of three Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in Kenya.
“It is licensed to represent artists and ensure that they are compensated for use of their work by businesses, individuals and media houses” he said
Dr. Mutua said three CMO’s have been granted authority to use police during copyright enforcement across the Country.
“We are pleased to report that the three CMO’s MCSK, KAMP, PRISK have been granted the authority to use police during copyright enforcement across the country. To this effect police commandants across the country have been directed to give support to our licensing officers during the copyright enforcement exercise,” Dr Mutua said.
Dr. Mutua lauded Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai for his directive, noting that it granted CMOs a boost in the quest to raise the current compliance level, which is currently below 10 per cent.
“We thank the IG for his swift and positive response. 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 through compliance,” read the statement.
On April 28, the MCSK boss announced that public service vehicles and commercial businesses needed to obtain licenses following the reinstatement of the collection laws as part of a plan to help creatives to earn from their artistic works.
A section of participants during the sensitization forum
Coronavirus pandemic had crippled businesses in the country.
“We are now laying strategies to get back on your feet. Work of the collective management is not to fight businesses, our is to collect and distribute royalties for our members,” Mutua stated.
The outspoken CEO said that they have automated our services to promote transparency in doing business. There’s therefore no cash transactions by our offices as licenses are generated digitally. Anyone asking for money should be reported to the police as our offices do not do cash transactions in licensing.
In order to promote ease of doing business, the three CMOs, namely MCSK, KAMP and PRISK issue one licenses. Our licenses are marked as such and our licensing officers have identification badges.
Mutua said that they are happy to carry out the sensitization nationally to enhance compliance with the Copyright Act. The National campaigns on copyright is spearheaded by Music Copyright Society of Kenya(MCSK),Performers rights society of Kenya (PRISK) and Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP).Mutua said that the entire country will be covered in one month