…. Minister also launches economic study on contribution of copyright to economy
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE- The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has unveiled the Copyright Society and further launched the Economic Study of The Contribution Of Copyright to the Eswatini Economy.
This launch event took place today at Mountain View hotel in Mbabane.
The Minister further unveiled the Copyright Society Secretariat which will be headed by Mmeli Hlanze, as its Executive Director.
Khumalo said from the results of the copyright study he was launching today, they should be able to properly address the different facets of the emerging copyright framework which the government shall grow in a deliberate manner. The study will help them better understand the unique economy in Eswatini.
“We have to embrace the change that this institution brings so that we can collectively see the fruits of the labour that is put into creative or intellectual works,” said Khumalo.
When speaking on the unveiled Secretariat and executive mbere, Khumalo said they had a task ahead of him.
“ They have a huge task of transparently working for the tangible benefit of the creative members of the Copyright Society. They will need the support and cooperation of the public as the ultimate user of copyright works ,”
The Secretariat’s Executive Members are: Winston Bhila (Royalty Administrator), Ngenisile Dlamini (Documentation Officer), Nkhosinathi Hlophe (Licensing Officer) and Siboniso Dlamini (Accountant).
Last year an official Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society Board was officially launched.
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2018 came into force through Senator Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
This was according to a government gazette dated July 27, 2021, which announced that the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act of 2018 came into force on August 1, 2021.
According to copyright.gov, Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form.
According to Section (3) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2018, works that are eligible for copyright if they are original include literary, musical, artistic, audio-visual works, sound recordings, broadcasts, programme carrying signals and published editions.
Section (6) further states that work that is eligible shall qualify for copyright protection if it is made by or under the direction of the State or an international organisation designated as such by regulations made by Minister Khumalo.
Copyright in a literary or musical work shall vest in the owner the exclusive right to do or authorise reproducing, publishing, performing the work in public or causing the work to be transmitted in a cable programme service, unless the service transmits a lawful broadcast.
Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade officially announced the Copyright Rights Society Board.
The chairperson is Samkeliso Nxumalo supported by Mluleki Sakhile Dlamini, Nobuhle Matsebula, Tiyamike Maziya, Mxolisi Vilakati, Mxolisi Radebe, Madoda Mdziniso, Phinda Nkosi and Annelisa Stoffels.
The minister at the time said the board will formulate rates for the usage of the copyright content. It is worth noting that the board is expected to ensure that there is increased local content of assured quality in broadcasting outlets so that emaSwati can have a considerable share of the royalties’ pay-out.
“The team is expected to also discourage any form of payment in exchange for airplay as this would skew the royalties’ payment and in the process throttle the development of the creative industry,”
“ It will also ensure that there is just and consistent enforcement against copyright infringement in collaboration with other government enforcement agencies. Copyright inspectors of the society are not to be a law unto themselves,” he said at the time.
Now fast forward to today, the Copyright Society Board has put in place a secretariat for the day-to-day administration of the society affairs.
In doing so, it must be remembered that the cardinal rules of treating members is treating them fairly and transparently.
legislature has made it clear that the society is created for ease of copyright administration and collective synergies, but it remains voluntary for copyright content owners to join.
According to the 2018 Act, Copyright in audio-visual works, collective works, photographs, and computer programmes lasts for 50 years from the creation. Copyright in sound recordings lasts for 50 years from first publication. Copyright in broadcasts lasts for 50 years from first broadcasting
