By Kundai Marunya
IN a major boost to the local creative industry, the Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights (ZICCO) has embarked on a nationwide drive to educate stakeholders on the country’s intellectual property rights and copyright laws.
This comes at a time many artistes are failing to make anticipated incomes from their creative work despite having invested huge amounts of money.
Intellectual property rights are legal rights that grant creators exclusive control over the use of their creations such as artistic work.
These rights are intended to protect innovation and creativity by allowing individuals or organisations to benefit financially from their work.
In the arts sector, intellectual property rights are often referred to as copyrights, thus covering literary, artistic and musical works.
Copyright protection in Zimbabwe is governed by the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which provides legal safeguards for authors, musicians, filmmakers, software developers, and other creatives.
The law covers exclusive rights to reproduction, distribution, adaptation and public performance of copyrighted works.
Despite these legal provisions, enforcement has remained a challenge due to widespread piracy, lack of public awareness and inadequate regulatory mechanisms.
In response, the Government has been working alongside ZICCO and other stakeholders to develop a National Strategy on Copyright, aimed at strengthening enforcement and awareness efforts.
Key provisions of Zimbabwe’s copyright law include exclusive rights for copyright holders to reproduce, distribute and publicly perform their works.
Copyright protection typically lasts for 50 years after the author’s death, ensuring long-term benefits for creators and their families.
The law also outlines fair use and licensing provisions, specifying circumstances where copyrighted works can be used without infringement, such as education and research.
However, it also emphasises the importance of proper licensing for commercial use.
Penalties for copyright infringement include fines, confiscation of pirated material and legal action, but enforcement has remained a challenge due to limited resources and loopholes in existing laws.
The apparent need for copyright education saw ZICCO beginning the year with remarkable zeal, successfully hosting two major educational roadshows in Bulawayo and Gweru.
These initiatives, combined with the official opening of new offices in both cities, mark a significant expansion of the organisation’s footprint across the country.
“We held highly successful educational engagement that will go a long way in raising awareness on licensing, which in turn will improve artistes’ incomes and protect their creative works,” said ZICCO board chairperson Tindo Chiraya.
Board member Brighton Chirumbwana echoed the same sentiments, highlighting some of the key takeaways from the roadshows.
He emphasised that many artistes remain unaware of their rights and the benefits of registering with a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) like ZICCO.
“By joining a CMO, artistes can access key benefits such as royalty payments as well as funeral and medical cover for themselves and their immediate families. Additionally, registered members can apply for financial support and land for income-generating projects,” Chirumbwana explained.
As part of its broader outreach strategy, ZICCO has outlined plans to conduct similar events in all the 10 provinces, with Mutare next on the schedule in the coming weeks.
The roadshows focused on raising awareness about copyright laws, engaging the business community on the importance of licensing and educating musicians on the benefits of registering their creative works.
The decision to expand ZICCO’s presence into other provinces is part of a broader effort to decentralise copyright services and make them more accessible to creative professionals outside Harare.
By opening new offices in these two major cities, the organisation aims to ensure that rights holders can easily access resources, legal assistance and licensing services without having to travel to Harare.
With similar expansions planned for Mutare and other provincial capitals, ZICCO is positioning itself as a national force in copyright protection and intellectual property rights enforcement.
This move comes in response to growing concerns over rampant piracy, lack of awareness among artistes and the need for stronger copyright enforcement mechanisms.
“One of the key objectives of the recent roadshows was to educate businesses on licensing requirements and the consequences of copyright infringement,” said ZICCO chief executive officer Tafadzwa Masembura.
“Many business owners, especially those in the entertainment and media industries, remain unaware of copyright obligations, often using copyrighted music, films and literary works without proper authorisation.”
By engaging these stakeholders, ZICCO hopes to foster compliance and protect creators’ rights.
For musicians and other creative professionals, the roadshows provided critical information on the benefits of registering their works.
Copyright registration ensures that artistes receive royalties, gain legal protection against unauthorised use of their work, and secure long-term earnings from their intellectual property.
The sessions included testimonials from registered successful artistes who have benefitted from ZICCO’s services.
Nhlanhla ‘Dr Lux’ Dube, a Bulawayo-based musician and producer, expressed gratitude for receiving assistance as his wife remains hospitalised.
“ZICCO has covered everything, from transport to medical requirements. They have assured me they will continue paying the bills until she recovers fully,” he said.
Since its establishment in 2023, ZICCO has rapidly grown to become a leading voice in copyright protection in Zimbabwe.
Some of its recent achievements include launching income-generating projects such as poultry and agriculture for members, helping artistes achieve financial stability beyond royalties.
It has also strengthened royalties collection systems, ensuring that artistes receive fair compensation when their works are used commercially.
Through public awareness campaigns and lobbying efforts, ZICCO is actively tackling piracy, one of the biggest challenges facing Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
The organisation has been advocating policy reforms, engaging Government agencies and corporate stakeholders to update and modernise Zimbabwe’s copyright laws to align with international standards.
The organisation is also looking at advancing digital copyright protection, addressing challenges in the online space, where many artistes face unauthorised distribution of their work on streaming platforms and social media.
To protect artistes in the digital age, ZICCO is working on partnering tech companies and streaming services to ensure royalties collection mechanisms are in place.
Corporate partnerships remain another priority for ZICCO, as the organisation seeks to engage businesses and private entities in supporting copyright compliance and promoting a sustainable creative economy.
Many corporations have started showing interest in supporting the creative industry, either through sponsorships, collaborations or licensing agreements that ensure artistes receive fair compensation.
With its bold initiatives and growing influence, ZICCO is set to redefine copyright protection in Zimbabwe.
The recent roadshows in Bulawayo and Gweru signal a new era of awareness and enforcement, while the expansion of medical benefits highlights the organisation’s commitment to artistes’ welfare.
