MCSK Call for Compliance from Consumers of Copyrighted Content

By Fred Maingi

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has called for compliance from music consumers in Kenya to ensure musicians are well remunerated for their creative works.

Addressing the media on Monday in Nairobi, MCSK flanked by the three Central Management Organisations (CMOS) urged music consumers to pay all pending royalties and comply with relevant authorities to ensure all revenue is collected and paid to musicians.

MCSK CEO Dr. Ezekiel Mutua emphasised the need for cooperation from the public as consumers of music.

“We have aligned our operations with the agenda of the Government to ensure that creatives are recognized, respected and rewarded for their work. The only way this can work is for us to create awareness for consumers of music to respect copyright and pay for licenses to use music in their business premises,” said Dr Mutua

He thanked the Government through the Kenya Copyright Board for issuing a license to the CMOs and creating stability and predictability of business through collaboration

“Music business is an ecosystem that calls for cohesiveness and collaboration from different stakeholders. CMOs cannot succeed alone in addressing the llight of artists without the support and goodwill from the Government.” added Dr.Mutua

We want to urge people using music, including broadcasters, businesses, and public service vehicles, to please pay for it.We do not want to disrupt your business, carry away your equipment as it used to be, or use the police to arrest you, but don’t abuse that privilege. Understand that when you use music for business, you need to pay for it.”noted Mutua

He said they ave gone digital adding that any one seeking for any assistance pertaining to license and other issues can dial *2553#

MCSK CEO Dr Ezekiel was flanked by the CISAC Delegation that comprised of Samuel Sangwa and Gloria Braga

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), represented by regional director Samuel Sangwa, reaffirmed their commitment to working with  MCSK, to develop a comprehensive framework for policymaking in their respective operations.

  “To be able to apply a more strategic perspective, we must have a long-term plan.The technological partnership with Kenya has just begun.Our purpose in being here is to evaluate Kenyan stakeholders’ expectations at the outset, We firmly think that Kenya’s creative sector should be paid for its contributions and should be managed in a cooperative manner,” Sangwa highlighted

Legal consultants Sangwa and Gloria Braga from the SISAC  head office from Geneva are in Kenya for  one  week to discuss  and explore ways of supporting Kenyan  musicians.

 “As CMOS we are not distributing  the amount  of royalties we should, because of unpaid revenue.We appeal to users of copyrighted music to make payment so that musicians and other creators of copyrighted content will receive their dues .” emphasized Dr  Mutua

Dr Mutua was speaking in nairobi when he hosted a delegation from SISAC   headquarters that is in Nairobi to explore ways of collaborating with MCSK.

MCSK will commence the first distribution of royalties for the year 2024 to its  over 16,000 members on the 25th of this month, an exercise that will run until the end of March.

MCSk has also lined up three more royalty distributions this year.