Over 300 artists from Kericho attended the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) public participation forum where they were enlightened on overall administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights as they voiced various challenges affecting them in their endeavors.
The event which took place at Kericho Sunshine Hotel attracted musicians, comedians, content creators, actors and even bloggers from the region, who said that the performing arts sector often reported high levels of organizational demands, poor job security, over-commitment, difficulties coping with critical performance feedback, perceived lack of recognition for their work and poor relationships with colleagues.
Speaking during the occasion, Kenya Copyright Chair Mr. Joshua Kutuny assured that the board has come up with measures geared towards building capacity for the artists and also educating them on financial management.
He said that the sensitization focused on copyright issues, policy and regulations which he said were crucial information for the artists, adding that creative economy was a big industry that many people earned a living from.
“Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) play a vital role in enhancing accountability and transparency. However, most of the artists have complained of not receiving their dues. The Board is currently working on draft amendments to the law that incorporates the latest developments and also seeks to improve the enforcement and administration of copyright and related rights in Kenya,” explained Kutuny.
Josphat Kirui, an artist in Kericho, commended the Kenya Copyright Board representatives for empowering artists with knowledge on how they could earn a living though art adding that most artists in the region were facing challenges which could have been solved if they had prior knowledge on property rights.
“Since I started my music career, I have never received any payment from the government but at last I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I have also understood my rights as far as Copyright protection is concerned and I can confidently say that this is a weapon which gives me legal rights to stop others from using my work without permission,” said Kirui.
Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has been on the forefront of using digital platforms to promote and protect local artists through the digital rights management tools that make it easier for the artists to protect their work.
Technology, business models and education could provide the owners of copyright in Kenya with effective mechanisms and means for dealing with problems.
In recent years, Technical Protection Services have seen the exploration of many technical mechanisms intended to protect copyright in digital form.
By Kipyegon Mutai and Zipporah Njambi
