Govt Targets September Rollout of Copyright Management System

Government plans to roll out a new Copyright Management System by the end of September to improve protection of creative works and ensure artists receive income due to them.

The government is targeting the end of September for the rollout of a new Copyright Management System aimed at strengthening protection of creative works and ensuring artists and other creators receive fair value for their work.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao said testing and monitoring of the system are already underway as government works to translate Uganda’s copyright laws into a functional management framework.

Mao made the remarks during an engagement with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) on the implementation of the system.

He said the reforms were prompted by persistent complaints from creatives over the exploitation and infringement of their works, noting that their advocacy had contributed to reforms in Uganda’s copyright law.

“The journey towards a stronger copyright management system began with the creatives themselves,” Mao said.

However, Mao cautioned that passing legislation alone would not resolve the challenges facing the creative industry, saying effective implementation was more important.

“Enacting the law and implementing it are two different things,” he said.

He said the new system should enable proper identification and monitoring of creative works, allowing creators to receive income generated from their work.

Mao urged CMOs, musicians, other creatives, government agencies and local governments to work together during the transition, saying existing CMOs remained important because of their experience and knowledge of the sector.

“We cannot just allow your experience to be trashed. You are the most experienced and knowledgeable in this field,” he said.

Mao said government’s role would be to provide the legal and institutional framework, protect rights and resolve disputes while avoiding unnecessary interference in the creative industry.

He said the ultimate objective of the reforms was to reduce exploitation and enable creators to earn a fair income from their works.

The Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Mustafa Ntaale, said the bureau had reviewed the system and was supporting its development and implementation.

Ntaale said URSB would work with CMOs to ensure the system succeeds while highlighting other reforms at the bureau aimed at improving services to stakeholders.

The reforms include strengthening the Corporate Department and automating registration processes.