Rewarding Copyright Compliance: CISAC "Copyright Friendly Label” in Africa

CISAC is working with societies in Africa to roll out the copyright friendly label initiative, a licensing approach designed to link copyright compliance to brand value addition for businesses. Businesses that comply with copyright laws by obtaining the necessary license are rewarded with the Copyright Friendly Label. 

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

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The initiative, launched in 2019, saw its most notable success during the recent 2024 African Cup of Nations, where organisers of this major continental sports event agreed to compensate creators through royalty fees for music played in stadiums and fan zones across the country. The licensing, managed by Ivorian CMO and CISAC member BURIDA, ensured that the vibrant rhythms and melodies that animated the stadiums also contributed to a fair compensation model for the creators. The amount expected to be collected by BURIDA from the licensing agreement amounts to approximately 430,000 euros.

An award ceremony held in Abidjan on 6th February attended by creators and government officials in support of the campaign – CISAC Vice-President Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Salif Traoré (A’Salfo) of the Côte d’Ivoire musical group Magic System, Burkina Faso singer-songwriter Alif Naaba and Congolese singer-songwriter Lokua Kanza – saw 35 businesses honoured with the Copyright Friendly Label for their adherence to copyright laws.

On behalf of the public sector, Assane Thiam, chief of staff of the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Culture and La Francophonie, and Jean-Marc Yacé, Mayor of the Cocody municipality, both recipients of the award, pledged their support for the campaign and to continue promoting copyright compliance. For the private sector, recipients of the award included Movenpick Hotel as well as the Accor hospitality brand. Representing the cultural cooperation operators, Mr Laurent Bonneau cultural advisor at the French Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire, committed to advising all embassies and French institutes to obtain the Label. 

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, alongside Karim Ouattara, Director General of Burida, and Congolese singer-songwriter Lokua Kanza, emphasized the label's importance in ensuring fair remuneration for music creators.

“Music is love. Music is our culture.” Chaka Chaka stated, urging compliance with copyright laws as a form of reciprocity and respect towards creators. “For you to be copyright compliant, you need to pay for the music that you use…And to all those who received the awards tonight, you are the catalyst. Go and tell more and let’s do it for the sake of a better Africa. This is our continent. Let’s do it for ourselves and for the generations to come. We do not want to see artists dying as paupers. That should not happen.”

Karim Ouattara, Director General Burida highlighted the need to “celebrate those who made art a profession and those who decide to respect that profession. They give value to artistic creation through the rights they pay and which allow artists to make a living from their arts.”

Samuel Sangwa, CISAC's Director for Africa said the scheme not only benefits creators but also encourages consumers to support businesses that invest in the ethical consumption of creative works 

“This award highlights and pays tribute to those businesses that are respecting the right of creators by being properly licensed and paying royalties. We are asking consumers who engage with these users for business  to think twice and choose those  that respect intellectual property rights. That is what will change perceptions”, Samuel Sangwa said.

Kigali, Rwanda

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CISAC's Copyright Friendly Label initiative also extended its reach to Rwanda during the Kigali's 2024 Triennial; The Kigali Triennale and Rwanda Arts Initiative were honoured with the Copyright Friendly Label by CISAC member, the Rwandan Society of Authors (RSAU), marking Kigali's commitment to being a Copyright Friendly city.

Since its creation in 2019 in Cape Verde, the campaign has expanded to Morocco, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda, awarding users in businesses across the tourism, entertainment, and hospitality sectors. The initiative is set to continue its growth, moving next to other countries in the coming months.

Watch the Video Highlight of the award ceremony in Abidjan below. ©Hermann Doubouyou