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Copyright law for review
2007-05-15 09:48:03
By Guardian Reporter
The government has announced plans to review the copyright law and the organizational structure of the multi-purpose copyright and collective management organization - Copyright Society of Tanzania (Cosota).
Industry, Trade and Marketing Deputy Minister, Hezekiah Chibulunje, announced the plan yesterday in Dar es Salaam at the opening of a two-day national workshop on copyright and reprography hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO).
“This workshop has come at a very opportune point in time. My ministry is now reviewing the Copyright Law and the organizational structure of the Copyright Society of Tanzania,” said the deputy minister.
He requested respective ministries and other authorities in the country to join hands in fighting piracy, which he said was retarding development of intellectual works.
Chibulunje said the authorities “have a crucial role to play in the campaign against piracy, especially as it relates to reprography, through publicity and sensitization seminars.”
Presenting a paper on the legal framework for the protection of literary works under the copyright law of Tanzania, the Cosota Copyright Administrator, Stephen Mtetewaunga, said it has become impossible for authors, performers, producers and broadcasters in the country to enjoy their exclusive rights.
He attributed the situation to scientific and technological leaps in development, growing numbers of users and owners of copyrights.
Mtetewaunga said there was need for collective administration of copyright and neighbouring rights.
Highlighting on the historical background of copyrights, the WIPO Programme Officer charged with Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for the African Bureau, Neema Nyerere-Dragbo said reproduction right has been the main feature and most fundamental right since the inception of copyright in the 18th century.
“There is need to capitalize on the existing legal and administrative structures, in addition to making the most of the existing cutting edge technologies,” said Nyerere-Dragbo.
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