The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has invited members of the public, Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) and other interested parties to submit views on the Draft Consolidated Music and Audio-Visual Tariffs for the period 2025 to 2028.
In a public notice, the state corporation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports said it will host a forum on Friday, 12th September 2025, at MAKTABA KUU Building, Kenya National Library Service, Hekima Auditorium, First Floor, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The meeting will provide a platform to discuss the proposed tariffs that will govern licensing fees for the use of copyrighted music and audio-visual works in the coming four years.
KECOBO, which licenses and supervises CMOs, said the proposals were put forward in line with its mandate to regulate collective management of copyright in Kenya. The Board added that the forum will allow open engagement between rights holders, industry players and consumers to ensure the tariffs are fair and practical.
In addition to the forum, KECOBO has requested written submissions from stakeholders. The comments may be sent or emailed to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. They may also be posted to the Ag. Executive Director, Kenya Copyright Board, P.O. Box 34670–00100, Nairob, or delivered to the Board’s reception desk at the SHA Building, 5th Floor (NHIF Building), Ragati Road. The submissions must reach KECOBO no later than 5:00 p.m. on 12th September 2025.
The draft tariffs are available on the KECOBO website, www.copyright.go.ke, and on its social media platforms. A soft copy may also be requested through the official emails provided, while hard copies can be picked from the KECOBO offices.
The Board said the tariffs are designed to consolidate existing structures into a unified framework. In recent years, the process of tariff collection has faced challenges, with businesses raising concerns about unclear or inconsistent rates, while artists and performers complained about low royalty payments. By inviting public views, KECOBO said it intends to strike a balance between safeguarding the rights of creators and easing the burden on licensees.
The tariffs will apply across a range of sectors, including hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, broadcasters, digital streaming services and public transport operators who use music and audio-visual works in the course of their business. Industry experts say the new framework could shape how copyright is enforced in Kenya at a time when digital platforms continue to disrupt traditional models of consumption.
Disputes over royalties have persisted for years, with Collective Management Organizations such as the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) often at the center of controversy.
Business operators have accused CMOs of harassment and overcharging, while creators say collections are too low and payouts delayed.
KECOBO has previously been called upon to mediate these disputes and improve accountability in the sector.
The Board said the ongoing consultations are part of efforts to introduce predictability and fairness into royalty collection. It stressed that input from stakeholders will directly inform the final tariff structure, which will take effect from 2025 through 2028.
Once the submissions are received and reviewed, KECOBO is expected to publish the final tariffs. The consolidated framework will then guide licensing and royalty distribution for the next four years.
Discussion about this post