By PSCU
The Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, chaired by Daniel Wanyama of Webuye west constituency held an engagement with the Royal Media Services (RMS) and the Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE) in a tussle between the Royal Media Services and the Kenya Copyright Board.
The Performance Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) had sued Royal Media Services for Sh67 million.
During his presentation, Njenga Njihia, the Legal Advisor of Royal Media Service, informed the committee that the company had not engaged in any wrongdoing.
He stated that they had agreed to settle any pending royalty bills and resolve the matter out of court.
He also stated that the Media house had fulfilled its end of the agreement by paying up to Sh25 million, as per the agreement made with the CEOs of the two Collective Management Organizations (CMOs).
On the other hand, MPAKE was accused of embezzling funds it collected after being registered and assigned by KECOBO to collect royalties alongside the three CMOs: PRISK, MCSK, and KAMP.
However in his submission, Bernard Kioko, the chairman of MPAKE, claimed that their financial records were in order and promised to submit them for scrutiny.
Mr. Maurice Okoth, CEO of KAMP, informed the committee that their board was not involved in the withdrawal of the case and was actually against it.
He also stated that KAMP only learned about the withdrawal after it had already happened.
Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, CEO of MCSK, praised the embattled Executive Director of KECOBO, Dr. Edward Sigei.
He informed the committee that after appearing before them, the three CMOs and KECOBO had signed a Memorandum of Understanding and were working together to resolve the issues plaguing the music industry and the payment of royalties.
In his closing remarks, Wanyama called on the formation of a single CMO to streamline operations and reduce costs at the expense of artists’ royalties. He also assured all parties involved that the committee was in the process of creating legislation that would benefit the creative industry.
He urged the parties to cooperate and participate in order to drive the industry forward, emphasizing that their involvement was crucial for enacting any new laws.
“We will help in creating legislation that will ensure artists are rewarded for their hard work, but I want to remind you that no law can be enacted without your cooperation and participation,” said Wanyama.
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