The Performing and Audio-visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) on Sunday warned the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) and other bodies from collecting royalties from Kenyans on behalf of artists.
PAVRISK in a statement noted that following the government’s order through The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) the body remained the only Multrights Collection Management Organisation given powers to collect revenue.
The Society informed the general public that it had since severed ties with MCSK and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP).
“PAVRISK is not an agent of any person, group of persons, or society purporting to carry out the functions of a Collective Management Organization (CMO),” the body stated.
As such, it will be the sole representative for musicians, audio-visual artists as well as rights holders in literary works.
On why the other bodies were being excluded from collecting royalties, PAVRISK explained that it was informed by the current situation in the country.
“In line with the prevailing social political and economic developments in the country, it will be hard to maintain multiple bodies doing the same work (collection of royalties),” PAVRISK's statement read in part.
According to the Society, in order for efficiency to be attained, there was a need for extra sacrifice and in this case, MCSK and KAMP should abstain from the collection of royalties.
PAVRISK further remarked that existing court orders and appeals before the Copyrights Tribunal had not given MCSK temporary reprieve to continue collecting royalties pending the determination of the petitions.
On June 13, KECOBO Chairman Joshua Kutuny commended PAVRISK over increased daily collections following its licencing a as CMO.
He noted that PAVRISK had increased daily collections from Ksh600,000 to Ksh1.2 million with prospects of that rising to Ksh3 million.
"Daily collection of royalties for creatives is on the rise and KECOBO will ensure creatives get at least 70 per cent of what is collected. That is our promise and our commitment," the government entity affirmed on Thursday, July 4.
Police Shoot And Kill Five Protestors News Just In
