Malawi’s copyright body destroys pirated goods worth K10m in Lilongwe
The Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) on Friday destroyed in public pirated music and video devices such as DVDs, compact discs and audio tapes confiscated from vendors and duplication agents worth MK10 million in the capital Lilongwe.
According to Cosoma senior licensing officer Rosario Kamanga, the society decided to join hands with the arts holders including Music Association of Malawi (MAM), Poetry Association of Malawi, Film Association of Malawi, among others to express their anger by destroying the pirated materials.
“We would like to sensetize the general public that copying of materials including sound recordings without the consent of the owner is total stealing and must be stopped immediately,” he said.
The destruction was witnessed by officials from the United States (US) Embassy, Malawi Police Service, the Malawi Revenue Authority, Cosoma and various associations representing artists, among others.
Kamanga said people should stop buying illegal materials, those which have been acquired without the permission of the owners inorder to discourage piracy in the country.
“Piracy has robbed alot of money from creative owners.Most artists in the country mainly musicians have lost money through piracy because people copy their materials and sell them at a very cheap price.”
A Lilongwe-based musician Skeffa Chimoto said he could have been somewhere at another high level, a rich peson but piracy has made his life miserable.
“I have people behind, my relatives, parents who are looking at me to help them but I cannot afford because some evil people stole my creativity and sell them at a cheap price,” he said.
He urged people to refrain from buying pirated materials and buy things from the owners or designated shops.
Some of the musicians who were in solidarity include Symon and Kendall, Mbenjere, Rudo Chakwera, Allelluya Band, Black Missionaries, Martha Mituka, Lulu and many more.
However, the event started with a march from Summit Leisure Centre at Biwi to Lilongwe Minibus Terminal as part of 20th Anniversary of COSOMA.
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