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The Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) has licensed a society of artists to collect royalties for artists.

The Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) was selected from five organisations that applied.

PAVRISK will manage all rights in music for audio-visual performers.

But PAVRISK will not manage rights for publishing and film producers for the time being.

The Kecobo board directed PAVRISK to begin collecting the royalties immediately and urged stakeholders to support the group so as to ensure a smooth transition.

Distribution of royalties

“The Board noted lack of transparency in collection and distribution of and distribution of royalties which has resulted in the suffering of the artists, led to enhanced corruption and looting of artists’ hard-earned money,” the board said in a statement.

“This will help cut costs and increase royalty distribution to artists to at least 70 per cent of the collection.”  read part of the statement undersigned by Kecobo Board of Directors Chairman Joshua Kutuny (pictured).