Celebrating 40 years, ARIPO kickstart 2017 with pair of MOUs

Celebrating 40 years, ARIPO kickstart 2017 with pair of MOUs

By Afro Leo   Friday, February 17, 2017   No comments:

ARIPO signed two significant agreements in February, paving the way for better economic growth and innovation in Africa.

According to the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), Directors General Paulin Edou Edou (OAPI) and Fernando dos Santos (ARIPO) signed a four-year co-operation agreement on behalf of their organisations, following a three day seminar in Harare.

The formal accord will entail a streamlined approach toward harmonising their systems, providing technical assistance and taking common positions on IP policies. A joint commission will meet annually.

Another ground-breaking memo of understanding was signed with CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, who represent over four million creative the world over and are considered the global body for the protection of creative rights.

The two signed the agreement on February 14 at a ceremony in Harare, after the organisations recognised a need to further the creative and cultural potential of the African nations.

Royalty collections in Africa total US$68.6 million annually with potential for sharp growth. Studies in a few ARIPO nations (namely Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania) showed that creative industries contributed three to five percent of the GDP. Collections for creators grew almost 15% in 2015, yet amounts to less than one percent of the global collections report.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two bodies will see joint projects on strengthening copyright, technical exchange, education and training of organisations, as well as collecting revenue on behalf of creators.

ARIPO Director General Mr. Fernando dos Santos said the signed agreement should act as a catalyst for the African governments to continue supporting and promoting the creative industries.”

CISAC oversees a global network of 239 member societies in 123 countries. These include 36 members in 31 African countries. These organisations collect and distribute revenues and promote the interests of creators across five repertoire groups: music, audio-visual, drama, literature and visual arts.

See www.aripo.org for more.

 

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Bits & Bobs

Big shout out to Victor Nzomo (IPKenya blog) for guessing where Afro Leo found himself midweek. Gabon, you should go there! Happy Friday.

Look out for information on the Africa's largest ever copyright claim, coming straight to you via Afro-IP on Monday.

Thanks to those who voted on our rejuvenate poll (click here and then gaze right) - an overwhelming show of support. Much appreciated.


 

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CISAC Welcomes New Africa Region President

CISAC Welcomes New Africa Region President

By Afro Ng'ombe   Tuesday, August 10, 2010   No comments:

Mr. Mayo Ayilaran of Nigeria was announced as the new Africa Region President for CISAC.  Ayilaran has a long history in the collecting society arena and has served for years as the head of MCSN, the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.  Full story from the Vanguard here.

Afro-Leo can’t help but wonder how this new development will affect the on-going collecting society saga in Nigeria.  MCSN was a long-standing player in the Nigerian music industry, and many argue that it still is.  However, as reported previously on this blog, the Nigerian Copyright Commission has approved a new collecting society, COSON, as the only collecting society allowed to operate in Nigeria.

Despite this announcement, MCSN has continued to represent its member artists and collect royalties, just as it did when there were no approved collecting societies in Nigeria.  With Ayilaran’s transfer to the CISAC regional offices in Johannesburg, will MCSN continue moving forward?  Will the bad blood between MCSN and COSON affect COSON’s ability to work internationally and obtain important reciprocal agreements with other collecting societies?  Tuyakulanga, we will see.

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Members of Nigeria’s Musical Copyright Society visit South Africa for Training

Members of Nigeria’s Musical Copyright Society visit South Africa for Training

By Afro Ng'ombe   Friday, November 20, 2009   No comments:

In a beautiful example of cross-continent collaboration, CISAC (Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), SAMRO (South African Music Rights Organisation) and SARRAL (South African Recording Rights Association Limited) have sponsored two members of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) to attend a training in South Africa.

The Vanguard reports that the training is focusing on a new copyright administration system called C-Basic that “enables copyright societies to upload data in a standard form for all sister societies.”  Afro-Leo was unable to find any further information about this new system and can only relay that the Vanguard views the CISAC course as a positive investment in the future of Nigeria’s copyright system.  If any readers have more information about the new administration system, please let Afro-Leo know.

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