IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma said the Authority will dedicate 2018 to sensitizing radio and television stations on the need to pay royalties to the (ZAMCOPS).
Ms. Mapoma stated that some stations just go straight to musicians and play songs on their stations instead of going through ZAMCORPS.
She observed that some songs that are played on radio stations are in bad taste hence the need to remit royalties.
Ms Mapoma further said both musicians and government must benefit from the songs.
She was speaking during the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IBA and ZAMCOPS.
The MoU is on account that broadcasting stations in the country should be consistent with remitting royalties to ZAMCOPS.
And ZAMCORPS General Manager, Juliana Chilombo said her organization is mandated by its members to license and collect copy right royalties from entities that use music during the course of conducting business.
Ms. Chilombo stated that the money realized from royalties is evenly distributed to duly copy holders whose music has been used.
She further said the remunerations of artists will create employment opportunities for players in the music industry such as composers, writers, producers and Instrumentalists among others.
And Musicians Association of Zambia (MAZ) Public Secretary, Mwembe Chulu said the MoU is a milestone for the music industry in Zambia.
Mr. Chuulu said musicians should enjoy from their sweat through royalties hence urged radio stations to pay royalties to ZAMCORPS.
He further urged musicians in the country to desist from singing songs with political connotations.
The law to pay for intellectual property rights has been long neglected. Forty years ago government inspectors used to close premises that didn’t pay this. The government would in turn pay this money to artists.
Here in South Africa all broadcasters have a LEGAL obligation to pay royalties for all songs they play. It is non negotiable. It is a legal requirement in all countries which have signed the Benne Convention on Intellectual property. Zambia signed.
I dont know the nonsense Mapoma adds that both musicians and government must benefit from the songs. Government doesnt claim anything apart from tax here. The musician pays tax for these earnings and thats all.
Also nonsensical is the sentence that: She observed that some songs that are played on radio stations are in bad taste hence the need to remit royalties.
Royalties have nothing to do with the quality of the song. A broadacsting station must pay just as long as the music has been played. Finish
She says that the government should benefit. My question is WHY
Mwembe Chuulu further urged musicians in the country to desist from singing songs with political connotations. Are you mad? Eba MAZ aba? Music thrives on freedom. Its a medium of communication. The government is already censoring people and you say such things?
You cant start censoring music.