Musicians Union Proposes Stiffer Penalty for Piracy of Copyright

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has proposed to Parliament to impose stiffer penalties in the penal provision of the Copyright Bill under its consideration to deter piracy of musical and art works.

It has, therefore, recommended a maximum penalty of 50 million cedis or five years jail term instead of the 2 million cedis or six months contained in the Bill, noting that as a result of new digital technologies, it was becoming easier, cheaper and more profitable for pirates to operate.

The president of MUSIGA, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, made the appeal when briefing the congress of the Eastern Regional branch of the union on the Copyright Bill at Koforidua. He pointed out that the time had come for the country to join other countries to counter the menace of pirates with stiffer penalties, considering the huge investment necessary for the production of master copies of musical works which the pirates cheaply exploit to their advantage, due to the current state of the law.

Alhaji Buari, who regretted the wretched financial conditions of some musicians due to the piracy of their works, asked all members to register with the Copyright Administrator to enable them to earn enough royalties to compensate for their works.

He announced that a nation-wide talent hunt to unearth artistes would soon be launched as part of efforts to develop the music industry.

Alhaji Buari called on those engaged in the hip-life music to back it with local instruments in order to make it attract international appeal and earn foreign exchange for the country.

He also decried the craze for profane lyrics by some musicians, which he noted, was corrupting the country's cultural norms. Mr. Sam Cooper, who chaired the function, asked the newly-elected executive to exhibit transparency and accountability during their tenure of office to move the branch forward. In the election of new branch executives conducted by the Electoral Commission, Mr. Justice Ofosu Okyere was returned as regional chairman with Mr. Yeboah Johnson as vice chairman, Mr Albert Owusu Sarpong, secretary and Miss Comfort Owusuaa as treasurer.