The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) have launched a crackdown on social media users sharing copyrighted content on their accounts.
KECOBO Executive Director George Nyakweba on Friday revealed that the agency had received complaints from several entities regarding the infringement of their works on social media platforms, notably Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
According to Nyakweba, available information indicates that several Facebook and WhatsApp groups have been created solely for sharing e-newspapers, popular TV content, movies, and pirated subscription codes.
The copyright enforcement agency boss warned of a clampdown on Kenyans sharing pirated soft copies of books online. Similarly, Kenyans using illegal websites to offer pirated live streams, which interfere with live football broadcast signals, were put on notice.
He further noted that such actions exposed unsuspecting Kenyans to the risk of providing personal information and data to persons who may use it for illegal purposes.
Nyakweba stated that any person who circumvents technological protection measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to works protected under the Copyright Act is guilty of copyright infringement.
While announcing the crackdown, the KECOBO Executive General warned that any individual who will be found culpable will be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or both.
“KECOBO, in conjunction with the Communication Authority of Kenya, is working closely with the social media platforms, and has commenced investigations on these incidences to close down and pursue legal action against owners of infringing social media accounts,” the copyright board stated.
“This is, therefore, to inform the public of the ongoing pirate activities and warn them against engaging in the same since they undermine respect for Intellectual Property Rights of right holders.”
The copyright law in Kenya provides legal protection for authors of original works, including literary works, drama shows, music, arts and other intellectual products.
An individual’s copyright in content arises the moment the work is created. However, an author may transfer copyright ownership to another person as they wish to.
However, an author’s copyright is not exclusive, the copyrighted content is subject to fair use which applies to all media but with limitations to how a second party can utilise the author's work.
