ZIMURA FLEXES MUSCLES ON COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
THE Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has announced a detailed copyright awareness workshop calendar running from March 12 to November 20.
ZIMURA is set to cover all parts of the country starting with Mutare next week.
After the Mutare workshop on March 12, the ZIMURA roadshow will go to Gweru on March 27, Masvingo (May 23), Victoria Falls (June 26), Bulawayo (July 25), Harare (August 7), Chinhoyi (August 28), Marondera (September 25), Bindura (October 23) and Gwanda on November 20.
ZIMURA board member, Alexio Gwenzi, urged artists to take part in the workshops.
“These workshops are very relevant because a lot of intellectual property knowledge is imparted to artists and the general public during these workshops.
“Members of the law enforcement agents, public prosecutors, city councils, the business community and broadcasters also say what they do and what they expect from artists, which is also a perfect platform for our members to interact with all relevant stakeholders.
“We also allow artists to have conversations among themselves, hence we encourage every artist to add these events to their calendar as these workshops really add value to their careers and also ensure that they are protected in every aspect of their copyright,” he said.
Gwenzi, who is also a musician, believes a change of mindset is needed by artists to understand their rights.
“Artists have no choice as far as copyright laws are concerned, they have to value them as these laws affect their everyday activities.
“However, we have noticed with concern that the majority of our members and other artists outside our organisation do not see the importance of having an appreciation of copyright laws.
“We encourage any serious artist to make this a priority, they have to know what the law says in terms of copyright,” he said.