Relief for artistes as Parliament passes Copyright Amendment Bill

The Bill sponsored by Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga will see artistes and copyright holders get the lion's share in revenues generated from their ringback tones.

Initially, artistes would receive only 16 per cent of the revenue generated from their Skiza tune while 25 per cent would go to the Kenya Revenue Authority and 51 per cent retained by the telecommunication service provider.

However, with the passing of the Bill, artistes will get 52 per cent of the daily revenue generated from their ring-back tones while the telecommunication company and the taxman will each pocket 16% of the Skiza revenue while PRSPs will pocket 9% of the revenue.

The National Assembly also passed an amendment to allow artistes receive their share of revenue directly and not through collection agencies, the CBOs and the PRSPs

During debate on the Bill Acting Finance and National Committee Chairman Mark Nyamita noted that an artiste reported to the Committee that they had not received payments, for an estimated eight months from collection agencies.

The Bill now awaits to be signed into law by the President.