The government, through the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), has announced plans to start charging Kenyans Blank Tape Levy.

Blank Tape Levy is a nominal fee imposed on the sale of blank media and devices such as CDs, DVDs, USB drives, and smartphones, which can be used to make personal copies of copyrighted content.

In a statement on Monday, September 11, 2023, KECOBO said the tax will be effected on September 15, 2023.

“KECOBO wishes to inform the public of the commencement of the implementation of the Blank Tape Levy with effect from September 15, 2023, pursuant to sections 28(3)(6) and 30(6) of the Copyright Act and the second schedule part B of the Copyright Regulations 2020,” KECOBO stated.

Use of Blank Tape Levy

KECOBO said the amount levied will be used to compensate copyright holders for potential revenue lost when individuals make private copies of their copyrighted works, such as music, movies or software.

Private copying allows individuals to make personal backups or copies of copyrighted material for their use, such as making a backup of a music CD or copying a movie to a personal device.

The state agency revealed that the levy is paid by the manufacturers or importers of the blank media or devices.