Kenya Copyright Board grants PAVRISK license to manage royalty collection, distribution

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has granted a six-month provisional license to the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK), allowing it to function as a Collective Management Organization (CMO) in line with a High Court directive.

This marks the third time PAVRISK has been licensed to oversee royalty collection and distribution for music and audio-visual works in Kenya.

During a special session on Monday, May 5, 2025, KECOBO authorized PAVRISK to represent an extensive group of rights holders, including those in music and audio-visual sectors.

PAVRISK’s Chief Executive Officer, Joseph K. Njagih, welcomed the decision, stating that the expanded mandate solidifies the organization’s legal standing as a compliant CMO within the creative industry. 

“We are now fully licensed pursuant to Section 46 (2) of the Copyright Act 2001 to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of Authors, Composers, Arrangers and Performers of copyright and related rights,” Njagih said.

He further elaborated that PAVRISK’s new mandate includes representing authors, composers, arrangers, and performers of sound recordings, as well as audio-visual rights holders such as scriptwriters, actors, and actresses. 

According to Njagih, this development is expected to address the persistent uncertainty among users of music and audio-visual works like public service vehicles, taxis, broadcasters, event organizers, and hospitality businesses, about which CMO is legally authorized to collect fees and issue licenses for such works.

The licensing follows a High Court ruling on April 3, 2025, where Justice Wamae Cherere ordered KECOBO to adhere to the Copyright Tribunal’s directive to issue PAVRISK a six-month provisional license. 

Njagih revealed that since August 2024, PAVRISK has issued invoices worth over Sh 400million to music users and is now focused on enforcing payment of these outstanding amounts. 

He urged commercial users of music to settle their invoices promptly to enable PAVRISK to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure artists are fairly compensated for their creative contributions.

Under Section 46 (12) of the Copyright Act 2001, it is illegal for any individual, society, or group to collect royalties without a valid license from KECOBO. 

“It’s therefore a criminal offense for any person or group of persons to impersonate and assume roles of a licensed CMO without a valid license,” Njagih said.

He further warned that payments made to unauthorized entities would be considered a loss to the copyright user, and such users would still be legally obligated to pay the licensed CMO.