Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-28 15:04:20
The chairperson of the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), Joshua Kutuny, has announced plans to streamline the existing Collective Management Organisations (CMO) by May 2024 to improve efficiency in collecting artists’ royalties. This initiative aims to ensure that artists receive up to three times their current pay, with some potentially earning millions.
During a media interview on February 28, Kutuny highlighted the case of artist Rehema Lugose, who only received Ksh757,092 in royalties, a significantly lower amount compared to the Ksh4 million Kutuny believed she should have received. He noted that a proposal has been submitted to Parliament to consolidate the three existing CMOs into a unified platform for better management and distribution of royalties.
Currently, KECOBO has licensed three CMOs: the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK), and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP). Kutuny emphasized that merging these entities into one would lead to a significant increase in artists’ earnings, with the new entity projected to collect over Ksh300 million, enabling individual artists to earn millions.
The proposed legislation aims to establish a single CMO, which would eliminate duplication of functions and reduce operational costs. Kutuny pointed out that the government currently spends over Ksh90 million on salaries for the three CMOs, a figure that could be significantly reduced by merging them. The new unified CMO is expected to operate more efficiently and reduce costs by up to 90%.
Furthermore, Kutuny outlined plans to migrate the collection system to the eCitizen platform, which would enhance revenue collection and ensure that artists receive their rightful share of royalties. The target is to collect Ksh1 billion in royalties, tripling the current earnings once the migration is complete.
Notably, Kutuny’s stance on royalty payouts has sparked disagreements with MCSK boss Ezekiel Mutua, who disputed the claims of disparities in royalties collected by the CMOs. The two have been at odds over the distribution of royalties, with Kutuny insisting on fair compensation for artists based on the proposed changes in the CMO structure.
In conclusion, the restructuring of CMOs in Kenya is aimed at revolutionizing the collection and distribution of artists’ royalties to ensure fair compensation and transparency in the music industry. By consolidating these entities into a single, efficient platform, artists stand to benefit from increased earnings and improved revenue collection processes.
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