The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), in partnership with the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK), has launched a crackdown targeting social media users sharing copyrighted content.
KECOBO in a statement dated December 19, noted that it had received information of several Facebook and WhatsApp groups formed for the sole purpose of sharing popular TV content, movies, and pirated subscription codes.
"There are signs of similar activities in other social media platforms including Telegram, it is most rampant on Facebook and WhatsApp platforms," read part of a statement by KECOBO.
The copyright enforcement agency also warned of a clampdown on websites pirating football content as well as individuals offering pirated Portable Document Format (PDF) or soft copies of books.
According to the Agency, copyright or privacy Infringement attracts criminal and civil liability for social media owners running the accounts under their radar.
“KECOBO, in conjunction with the Communication Authority of Kenya, is working closely with the social media platforms and has commenced investigations on the incidences to close down and pursue legal actions against owners of those social media accounts," noted the Agency.
It further warned that anyone found guilty of committing the offenses is liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or even both.
"This is to inform the public that these acts constitute an infringement under the Copyright Act more particularly the exclusive making available right and offering for sale and rental infringing Copyright works," read part of the Copyright Agency's statement.
"This is, therefore, to alert the public of the ongoing pirate activities and warn them against participation as those activities undermine respect for Intellectual Property and the rights of artists to make a decent living from their creative works."
According to KECOBO, sharing copyrighted content on social media exposes one to the theft of personal information and supports illegal causes.
"Meanwhile, KECOBO welcomes any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators on the addresses indicated," the Copyright Infringement Agency noted.
