Music copyright groups to harmonize license fees

MUSIC IN AFRICA NEWS Music copyright groups to harmonize license fees By Pamela Atieno 16 Nov 2014 Three music management organizations in the country have been called upon to come up with a joint license fee for their clients. Performers Rights Society of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Angela Ndambuki said talks are in progress amongst the three music societies to unveil a joint license fee. Ndambuki said she has discussed the matter with the Kenya Association of Music Producers and they will reach out to the Music Copyright Society of Kenya to actualize the joint effort. She intimated the joint licensing might start operation by next year after the three music societies have worked on some modalities. “We want our clients to feel a sense of uniformity while doing their businesses, not being asked to pay by three different bodies on nearly the same commodity,” she said. Speaking in Kisumu during a forum with bar owners organized by the Kisumu Chamber of Commerce, Ndambuki said the joint licensing will give clients easy time in doing their businesses. Kisumu County Business Coalition chairman Israel Agina further urged the music societies to be transparent about royalties being paid to musicians. Agina said there is need to publish the royalties being disbursed to enable the public to see the beneficiaries and how much they are receiving. “Take the example of the government who make public those receiving the royalties, we want the music societies to publish for Kenyans to see who is receiving and how much,” he said. The bar owners complained of harassment when officers from the music management organisations come calling to collect fee. Read On at http://www.hivisasa.com/kisumu/entertainment/119004/music-copyright-groups-harmonise-license-fees