Bridgetown – 6 April 2023 – On the 29th of March 2023, the Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc. (COSCAP) signed an agreement with sister organisation, the South African Music Performance Association (SAMPRA) at the meeting of the Sub-Saharan African Conference of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Nairobi.
The High Commissioner of Barbados to Kenya, His Excellency William A. McDonald attended and gave his support along with representatives of the Kenyan government, IFPI, Sub-Saharan African music organisations and representatives of the major record companies.
COSCAP has signed over 50 such agreements with similar organisations worldwide over the years and these have generally been limited to the management of rights and the payment of royalties. However, with SAMPRA, an innovative and more developmentally focused agreement has been executed.
Increased Member Benefits
CEO of COSCAP explained, “we operate in an industry that is subjected to constant change. Amid this change, we must adapt, be agile and responsive to the demands of our members. Operating in a market which does not yet have the required institutional framework, much is expected of COSCAP and while our mandate is quite limited, we must still try to meet members’ needs to the extent possible – education and skills development, market entry and expansion, lobbying and advocacy.
It is within this context that the agreement signed with SAMPRA not only includes the collection and payment of remuneration but also, focuses on developing the market between the two countries through the facilitation of creative collaborations, recording and performances by members together in each other’s markets starting in November 2023.
It also includes training and capacity-building initiatives for members and the staff of each organisation. COSCAP hopes that this agreement with SAMPRA will serve as a model with other organisations and indeed, interest has already been expressed”.
Erica K. Smith PhD
CEO, COSCAP