Artists' royalties hit as KECOBO suspends music producers' license

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Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) CEO Joseph Njagih (left) and KAMP Copyright and Related Rights CEO Maurice Okoth (rigt) at the signing of agreement with the directorate of E-Citizen at KECOBO offices last week to roll out collection of royalties through the E-Citizen platform. [Juliet Omelo-Standard]

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has suspended the operating license of the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) for 90 days.

The suspension comes after an alleged royalty mismanagement, governance lapses and persistent violations of the Copyright Act and the Copyright (Collective Management) Regulations.

The suspension, which took effect on July 1, bars KAMP from collecting royalties, issuing licenses, negotiating tariffs or undertaking any activity reserved for licensed Collective Management Organizations’ (CMOs) under the Copyright Act.