Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) will distribute K1 billion worth royalties for blank media levy for the period April 2024 to March 2025. The development comes barely a week after some artists lamented delays in the distribution of royalties. However, in a statement dated July 1, 2025, the copyright body says it is ready with the distribution of blank media levy royalties next week.
It further says blank media levy royalties that are being distributed are for works that have been authentically certified using Cosoma’s system of distribution for the period April 2024 to March 2025. According to the disbursement line, a total of K1, 566,900,454.95 will be distributed to 3,524 beneficiaries. The distribution sheet also indicates that a total of K1,044,600,303.30 has gone to musical works to 2, 959 beneficiaries whereas a total of K522, 300,151.65 goes to literary works to 565 beneficiaries.
Cosoma spokesperson Catherine Mitungwi Chiumia said yesterday that they were happy that, finally, they will be disbursing blank media levy to artists. “Everything is now in black and white and we are thankful that despite the delays, members understood the process,” Mitungwi Chiumia said. Blank media levy comes from an economic right of production under Section 29 of the Copyright Act 2016. According to the copyright body, data for distribution of the funds from the same is collected from reproduction streams— that is, softcopy operators (burning centres), ringtones and downloads—and that these streams have different points in their distribution software.
“Blank media levy, just like any other remuneration or royalty paid by Cosoma, is paid to works which have been used in a specified period. These remunerations are paid regardless of whether an artist is a member or not,” Mitungwi Chiumia said. Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and Cosoma recommenced collection of the levy on media storage devices in 2020. The levy on media storage devices, also known as Private Copy Levy, is charged on purchases of recordable media as compensation to rights holders for loss of income due to copyright infringements.
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Meanwhile, the copyright body has dared DJs, mobile advertising vehicle operators and discotheque to renew their licences to avoid equipment seizure and to ensure compliance with copyright laws.
