Kenya: KECOBO urges streaming DJs to get licence
The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has directed all DJs to acquire a public performance licence to legalise their exploitation of music.
This after a number of Kenyan artists took to social media and accused DJs of copyright infringement during live streams.
KECOBO says there is no clear guideline or a specific licence rate for those who exploit copyrighted content online. It said, however, that when a DJ airs music on the Internet, he assumes the role of a broadcaster and is obligated to apply for the public performance licence.
KECOBO head Edward Sigei said DJs who were streaming licensed content for commercial gains would need to comply with the terms and conditions of the platform they were using.
Public performance licences are issued jointly by Kenya's three collective management organizations (CMOs) at an annual flat rate of 10 000 Kenyan shillings (about $95) or 750 Kenyan shillings per performance.
"It is recommended that a DJ or any other digital user wishing to exploit recorded music on digital platforms whitelist their channels with the rights holders as per the terms and conditions of the platforms," Sigei said.
"That aspect is beyond the ambit and jurisdiction of KECOBO and the CMOs. The reason is that recorded music in many jurisdictions is subject to rights management information monitoring technology that enables owners to account for its usage on digital platforms. The technological measures may trigger a complaint or copyright strike that leads to blockage of the stream."
Facebook has a dedicated section on copyright that can be accessed here.
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