12 Feb 2014

Local artistes on Tuesday, February 11, poured accolades on the Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) and hailed it as a saviour of the local arts and culture industry.

Speaking at the official launch of COSBOTS and the distribution of music royalties to artistes in Gaborone, a number of artistes welcomed the royalties and said they had waited years to get what was due to them.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu said the event was worth celebrating because it was the first time in the history of Botswana that artistes were paid royalties for their work. COSBOTS was established in 2008 and started operations in 2010 after getting funding from government through the blank tape levy fund.

The funding was largely viewed as government’s investment in the creative arts industry. The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act CAP 68:02 mandated COSBOTS to license and collect royalties from users of copyright works for distribution to copyright owners.

Makgato-Malesu said she understood why artistes were eager to receive their royalties for the legal use of their works, but explained that it was important to set up an organisation that met the technical requirements to distribute royalties as per international standards.

“By the end of 2013 COSBOTS had collected P7 634 831. An amount of P1, 920 336 was distributed on this occasion, and the rest will be set aside for subsequent distribution planned in July,” said the minister.

She added that the rest of the royalties would be distributed once outstanding information from users had been acquired and analysed. Of the amount licensed, COSBOTS retained 30 per cent to cover operational costs.

The rest of the money collected was distributed according to the use of the works, to registered members and to foreign societies whose member’s works are consumed in Botswana and who have reciprocal agreements with COSBOTS.

In addition, foreign societies shall also pay COSBOTS royalties for Batswana artistes’ works that have been consumed in their respective countries.

The recipients for these royalties include all artistes from different genres, those with physical disabilities and the beneficiaries of deceased artistes. Makgato-Malesu also commended the Department of Broadcasting Services as one of the largest users of works, both music and video, saying it had played a leading role towards making this milestone a reality.

For his part, COSBOTS board chairman Solomon Monyame revealed that it has been a long and tedious journey to get to the day when artistes would be paid royalties for their works.

He added that the realisation of that dream is indication of the strong relationship that exists between artistes and the government of Botswana. ENDS