Ezekiel Mutua, CEO of the Song Copyright Society of Kenya, has expressed his disagreement with the Kenya Copyright Board’s declaration over the usage of Sauti Sol’s music at Raila Odinga’s rally on Monday, May 16.
He also handed him a copy of the license, which showed that the Azimio la Umoja squad had paid the required Sh562,500.
“The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has been licensing synchronisation for decades. We cannot issue half licenses. KECOBO failed to license the proposed new tariffs and should keep off this matter as they are not a CMO,” says the report.
He added:
“Regarding the claim by Sauti Sol and statement by KECOBO, MCSK wishes to clarify that the license issued covers both performing, mechanical rights & synchronisation. We thank the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign team for complying with the copyright law and urge others to pay.”
The Azimio coalition had breached Kenyan Copyright law by exploiting Sauti Sol’s sound recording for synchronization, according to KECOBO.
“In this case synchronization rights are at issue and as such, a synchronization license is needed. A synchronization license can only be issued by the composer and publisher. They have the authority to negotiate and issue a synchronization license. In this matter, the composers/performers allege that this was not done.
“Therefore, the use of Sound recording for synchronization the complainant without authority is, therefore, infringement and thus violates Kenya copyright law,” the statement read in part.
Raila Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had previously claimed that playing the song was a demonstration of love for the band.
“We would like to assure our celebrated musical team @sautisol that we love them and appreciate their music so much. The group has carried our country’s flag so high in international for a and every Kenyan appreciates this. Playing their song yesterday was a show of love for their work,” reads the statement from ODM Party.
