COSBOTS collects P9.2m in royalties

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday September 24, 2014 11:08

He added that the remaining money would be set aside for subsequent distribution. In an interview with Showbiz, Mokobi said that the money collected is distributed according to the use of the works to registered members. 

Also foreign societies whose members’ works are consumed in Botswana and who have reciprocal agreements with COSBOTS will receive royalties.

He pointed out that they collect royalties from different sources namely radio stations, music festivals, bars, nightclubs, clothing stores, supermarkets and restaurants. However, Mokobi expressed concern over some charity event organisers who refuse to pay royalties claiming that they cannot do so as the artists have agreed to perform for free.

“Charity events using copyright works do not mean that you do not have to be paid.  Every charity event has to pay for your hard work at a reduced amount,” he said. He urged artists to stop offering their services for free as this leads to some organisers taking advantage of them, and claiming that every event is meant for charity.

“This gives us a great challenge as some people go to the extent of refusing to pay royalties saying that they would ask artists to write us letters that give them the right not to pay us.  We do not accept this because at times artists do not perform their own songs,” he added.

He also advised artists to inform them of events where they are booked to perform, so that COSBOTS can approach the organisers in time to address the issue of royalty payments.

Mokobi said this would help collect more money on their behalf.

“To be able to distribute, we have to know where the songs have been played. Venue and time are important in this initiative as it would help us pay you accordingly,” he added.He advised artists to always register their new albums, as failure to do so would mean no payment.