Cosoma opens up on negotiations with MBC
Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) has extended its negotiations with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on copyright agreement.
The State-run broadcaster terminated its copyright pact with Cosoma after the two parties failed to come to terms during previous negotiations.
The copyright body went on to say that the development meant that MBC, which contributes a huge share of money in broadcast royalties, had resolved to stop using music in its broadcasts in all its platforms effective Sunday.
Cosoma Executive Director Dora Makwinja said Sunday that they have been in discussion with MBC and that they would be meeting again Tuesday.
“The effective date is today (February 19)(Sunday) but we allowed for discussions and, so, we have extended everything and we are hoping that we will come to terms,” Makwinja said.
MBC Director General George Kasakula insisted recently that they will not bow down to pressure to rescind its decision on the termination of the copyright agreement, saying the ground needed to be levelled.
Kasakula said they were of the view that the contract is being executed in a way that is detrimental to the State broadcaster and that there was a need to find a fair way of paying royalties.
“The copyright agreement needs to be revisited. Things have to be done in a proper and transparent way and Cosoma needs to be accountable in its dealings. There are lots of gray areas in the way they are operating and Cosoma needs to be checked,” Kasakula said.
He maintained that the move is for the greater good of the creative sector.
“Let me say, again, that we are a huge contributor of broadcast royalties and we are the only station that has an agreement and, so, it is unfair on our side to be paying more than anybody else. We want a fair and legal way of paying for copyright,” Kasakula said.
He also indicated that nothing will change on their side and that they will not stop playing music in their broadcasts.
“Let Cosoma revisit its copyright agreement and be transparent. This does not mean we do not want to pay and this is why we are saying we will continue to play music on our platforms,” he said.
