The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), who represent over four million creators the world over and are considered the global body for the protection of creative rights, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Harare on 14th February, 2017.
Other than championing creators and intellectual property rights globally, the two organisations entered into the MoU to help champion creators’ rights and boost the growth of the creative sector in Africa. Further, the MoU paves the way for joint projects on strengthening copyright, technical exchange, education and training of organisations as well as collecting revenues on behalf of creators. The two organisations also hope that the MoU shall act as a catalyst for the African governments to continue supporting and promoting the creative industries.
According to CISAC’s 2016 Global Collection Reports, royalty collection for creators in Africa by CISAC member societies in the African Region has enormous growth potential in the creative sector and across multiple repertoires. Royalty collected grew from 14.9% in 2015 to US$ 68.6 million. However, this represents less than 1% of global collections totalling US$9.5 billion.
Creative and cultural industries have the potential to be a major engine of economic growth in Africa. According to an economic study commissioned by CISAC and prepared by Ernst & Young (EY) in 2015, Africa’s creative and cultural industries are worth US$ 58 billion, employing 2.4 million people. With relatively low levels of Internet penetration and challenging conditions for the rights of creators in some countries, there is huge potential for further growth.
The implementation of this Memorandum shall boost the protection and development of creators’ intellectual property rights in Africa.
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