The CMOs agreed with KAHC and PERAK that there will be a pilot for the first six months and that the licensing will be based on a percentage of Single Business Permit and Liqour License where applicable. [Photo/PRISK Media Team]
The Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers & Caterers (KAHC) and the Pubs, Entertainment & Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) have today signed a joint licensing Memorandum of Understanding with the three Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) – Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) representing producers, Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) representing performers and Music Publishers Association of Kenya representing authors, composers, arrangers and publishers.
This deal follows several months of negotiations that were spearheaded by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) which is the regulator for CMOs and custodian of the Copyright Act in Kenya.
It brings to life the dream of joint licensing where music users (e. g bars and hotels) will be issued with a single license by the three CMOs.
The CMOs agreed with KAHC and PERAK that there will be a pilot for the first six months and that the licensing will be based on a percentage of Single Business Permit and Liqour License where applicable.
An implementation committee will be formed with representatives from all parties to ensure smooth transition and effective collection and distribution of royalties for musicians.
Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) is a Collective Management Organization (CMO) licensed by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) to represent performers in sound recordings and audio-visual works, PRISK is hence a non-profit works licensing company appointed as a collecting society under Gazette Notice No. 12322 of 2009. PRISK negotiates and sets tariffs with the different users of sound recordings and audio-visual works. PRISK collects on behalf of its members, equitable remuneration from users of sound recordings and audio-visual works for purposes of broadcasting or other communication to the public.
Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) represents the rights and interests of sound recordings: the Producers. A Producer of Sound Recordings, under the Act, means the person who made all the arrangements for the affixing in any format and makes that product commercially available in the market place; Phonogram Producers, Music Producers or Record Labels.
The Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE) is a non-profit organization representing authors, composers and music publishers in the Kenya.
The Music Publishers Association exists to: safeguard and promote the interests of its members; represent these interests to government, the music industry, the media and the public; provide publishers with a forum, a collective voice and a wide range of benefits, services and training courses; promote an understanding of the value of music and the importance of copyright; and provide information and guidance to members of the public.