Artists, COSBOTS war over royalties intensifies

The meeting was organised by Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) in an effort to solve the issue after artists complained about COSBOTS’s failure to distribute their royalties in time. COSBOTS is mandated by the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act CAP 68:02 to among others license and collect royalties from users of copyright/protected works to distribute to copyright owners. COSBOTS has been distributing royalties since 2014.

Artists have also served the current COSBOTS board with papers and they expect the latter to usher in new board members and leave office. In an interview with Showbiz, one of the disgruntled members, Alfred Mosimanegape confirmed that indeed they have taken legal action against the organisation. “Their term is over and they have to vacate that office,” he said. The Kwasa Kwasa legend said as artists they decided to refuse to hold a meeting with COSBOTS because they have made it clear in the past that they do not deal with separate entities such as BOMU.