Cosoma disburses over K56 million for literary works
Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) Thursday disbursed reprography royalties amounting to over K56 million during the event held at Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC).
The royalties for individual authors were for the period 2016 -2018.
The copyright body is yet to disburse rightsholders royalties to the associations as Cosoma is awaiting for Funds Usage Guidelines from associations.
The list of the top 10 recipients has seen Fritz Kadyoma receiving the highest amount pocketing over K1.5 million with his publisher Longhorn Publishers and Grey Matter with Lynette Khabongo coming second receiving over K900,000 having published with Anjor Productions.
The third highest recipient is the late Alnord Mwanza, who pocketed over K800,000.
About 34 million is expected to be disbursed to the rightsholder associations.
The total amount distributed to individual authors and rightsholder associations amounts to over K90 million.
Cosoma Executive Director, Dora Makwinja, said as a copyright body, they are mandated under the Copyright Law to promote and protect creativity and that this works through among others, licensing users of copyright works which include music, books and literary works.
While distribution of royalties in the music circles has been in the limelight, Makwinja said there were also other royalties.
“So, this distribution is for literary works and this is from secondary schools, colleges and other institution. Last year we also disbursed these royalties but this year we have significant amounts,” she said.
One of the recipients, Phillip Beza, who has pocketed over K800,000 having published with Claim, said he was honoured to be part of top 10 recipients.
“I have been in the industry for six years now but I am happy that I am now seeing the economic benefits for my works. I hope to get more next time especially with the fact that there are more channels now where Cosoma can collect royalties for literary works,” Beza said.
Beza described the process Cosoma has carried out as transparent and that there was an improvement compared to last year.
