In a bid to counter piracy in the arts industry, Partners Against Piracy (PAP), has intensified efforts to bring on board and sensitise key stakeholders on the magnitude of the malpractice across member states.
The association has decried skyrocketing piracy in Malawi which is adversely affecting content producers in the country as enhanced by advancements in digital technology.
At a recent sensitisation workshop in Blantyre, Corporate Affairs Manager for Multichoice Malawi, Zenab Makunje, said piracy has a negative bearing on their business and the company is researching the extent of the damage the malpractice is causing.
“We will continue to do initiatives like these. We will get in touch with partners who have an ear to the ground, especially in identifying changes, especially in the digital space where no one is exempt from piracy so it is imperative to be in touch with partners like COSOMA who are authorities in the field,” said Makunje.
Also speaking virtually at the day-long media training on piracy and other copyright Infringements, Senior African Anti-piracy Manager for Multichoice, Tobias Maja, said the vice continues to rise due to economic hardships most African countries are facing.
“In most countries where piracy is rampant, investors are scared off as they are not sure how the creative works of content producers will be protected. So the vice is retrogressive to artists and national development at large,” said Maja.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), Dora Makwinja, said one of the strategies to deal with copyright infringements is sensitisation of the public about using creative works without consent.
“Technology moves faster and we cannot be on the same pace. However, we are trying our best to sensitise the public so that they are aware that they should respect the rights of creative people. For instance Multichoice produces content, they have a right to protect what they produce, similarly with other artists in the industry,” said Makwinja.
The workshop drew participants from the legal fraternity, media and police.
PAP is a Pan-African initiative that seeks to combat one of the most fundamental issues in the sector; content piracy.
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