Copyright Society of Malawi cracks down on piracy
The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) is cracking down on piracy to ensure that artists are protected and reap from their talent.
Cosoma has impounded 147 gadgets that enable illegal transferring, photocopying, distribution and public performance of other people’s creative works.
This came after an operation which took place in Kasungu last week.
The operation was done in the areas of Madisi, Chinkhoma, Kasungu Boma, Nkhamenya and Chatoloma Chitete, Gundani, Kasalika, Chiteyeye, Kasankha, Juma, 4 Ways, Linga, Chulu with an aim to enforce copyright law.
According to the Copyright Act 2016, Section 95 and 96(2), COSOMA Inspectors may enter any premises whether in a ship, aircraft, shop or vehicle and upon production of his certificate of identification seize and detain any substance or article which he/she has reasonable cause to believe to be infringing any copyright work.
The seized equipment comprised of 130 computers, 12 printers and bar equipment including stabilizers and 7 speakers.
Licencing Manager Mutty Mukhondiya said the raids have been intensified because the 2020-2021 financial year is coming to an end in June, and from July 2021 people have to start paying up for the next financial year.
“We are trying to end this habit of using other people’s work for selfish gains while the owner profits nothing. A lot of artists in Malawi do not really benefit financially from their work, and it has only gotten worse with the Covid-19 pandemic, as artists cannot perform thus killing their income generation, it is now more than ever that we as COSOMA are tirelessly making sure the artists get as much from the infringers”.
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Go ku devil street, thays where the real piracy takes place. Izozo is just a tip of an iceberg
Very stupid development. Just say you wanna get paid. You corrupt inept fools
what about those who share songs and movies via whatsapp, shareit and bluetooth. anyway you are fighting a losing war against technology. its time for artists to evolve and adapt to new living stds. let them focus much on live performances in bars, community halls, market places. like ku jozi achina makhazi amakaimba pamsika ndikumavina ulere kwinaku akugulitsa ma disks. that is what is called survival tactics and skills inorder to adapt to a changing world.
Keep it up this behavior must come to an end