The Music and Copyright of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ezekiel Mutua on Tuesday, June 6, announced a joint crackdown with the National Police Service to ensure compliance to the Copyright Act.
In a statement released by Mutua, he announced that the office of the Inspector General of Police had granted MCSK and other Collective Marketing Organizations (CMOs) the authority to use police officers to enforce the act.
The nationwide crackdown will see licensing officers and the police target Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and night clubs, which are among the largest consumers of music.
"Police commandants across the country have been directed through the office of the Deputy Inspector General to give support to our licensing officers across the country," read the statement in part.
Mutua noted that the exercise will see its officers execute their mandate of collecting and distributing royalties for artists registered with MCSK, Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) and the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK).
The officers will also target Tour Service Vehicles (TSVs) and other commercial vehicles. Business premises such as hotels, bars, restaurants and salons will also be on the radar.
Mutua lauded Mutyambai for his directive, noting that it granted CMOs a boost in the quest to raise the current compliance level, which is currently below 10 per cent.
"We thank the IG for his swift and positive response. The music industry is one of the most lucrative businesses with the potential of creating jobs and wealth for our artists; this can only be achieved through compliance," read the statement.
On April 28, the MCSK boss announced that public service vehicles and commercial businesses needed to obtain licenses following the reinstatement of the collection laws as part of a plan to help creatives to earn from their artistic works.
"The pandemic had crippled businesses in the country. We are now laying strategies to get back on your feet. Work of the collective management is not to fight businesses, our is to collect and distribute royalties for our members," Mutua stated.
Under MCSK regulations, commercial vehicles must obtain a license to play local music or even tune to a local radio station. Before the regulations were suspended, commercial vehicles were expected to pay over Ksh3,500 for the license.
"We have a pay bill that that those who have violated the MCSK regulations are allowed to pay and then proceed with their journeys, or they can give the society a cheque. And if they have neither, then we will take them to the police station," MCSK official explained.
