The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has issued a statement regarding Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol’s threat to sue Azimio coalition party over copyright infringement.
Azimio had used the band’s popular song dubbed Extravaganza when unveiling Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua as the running mate on Monday.
In a response on Tuesday, KECOBO clarified that separate sets of rights in a sound recording are managed concurrently by the composer, publisher and collective management organizations where they are operational.
The copyright body said that Azimio had obtained a public license to play both local and international music but the use of visual images in audio-visual production was not part of the use of the license.
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“However, the use of sound recording as soundtrack with visual images in film, video, television show, commercial or other audio-visual production is not part of those uses authorized by a Public Performance License,” read the statement by KECOBA Executive Director Edward Sigei.
Sigei said that a synchronization license was needed in that case and Sauti Sol had claimed that Azimio had not been given the license.
“Therefore, the use of sound recording for synchronization in the manner outlined by the complainant without authority is therefore infringement and thus violates Kenyan Copyright Law,” the statement by Sigei read further.
Sigei, however, said that the matter was of civil nature and within the power of the parties to settle it with or without compensation.
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