The Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) has been authorised to collect royalties on behalf of music rights holders following the three-month suspension of the Copyright and Related Rights Limited (KAMP) by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO).
In a public notice, KECOBO said PAVRISK will temporarily collect royalties for rights that were previously managed by KAMP under the existing licensing framework during the suspension period.
However, the regulator directed that all money collected must be deposited into a separate bank account and held in trust until further instructions are issued.
“All monies collected in respect of such right shall be deposited into a separate designated bank account, maintained independently from PAVRISK’s operational and distributable funds,” KECOBO said.
The board further stated that the funds must not be distributed, transferred or used for any purpose until it provides written directions on how the money will be managed and eventually shared with rights holders.
The latest directive follows KECOBO’s decision last week to suspend KAMP’s licence for three months after conducting a regulatory review of the organisation’s operations.
According to the regulator, the review assessed KAMP’s governance, financial management, royalty collection and distribution, licensing practices, regulatory compliance and overall performance as a licensed Collective Management Organisation.
KAMP has opposed the suspension, disputing KECOBO’s decision, which followed allegations of financial mismanagement within the organisation.
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