KATEMA

By MWANGALA LISELI –

GOVERNMENT has seized pirated audio visual products worth more than K9 million from around the country since January this year.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joseph Katema said Government had intensified the fight against piracy and counterfeit products in an aggressive manner never seen before.
Dr Katema was speaking during the official opening of the Zambia Music Copyright Protection Society (ZAMCOPS) 14th annual general meeting in Lusaka yesterday.
He said the implementation of the holograms was going well and his ministry had sold and affixed a total of 1,005,000 since the exercise began a year ago.
He said the ongoing review of the trademarks, patents and companies Acts, was all part of Government’s commitment to the promotion and protection of intellectual property which contributed to job and wealth creation.
“In this regard, you may wish to know ladies and gentlemen that since January this year, my Ministry in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other stake holders has seized thousands of audio video products over K9 million in operations across the country,” Dr Katema said.
He said piracy had the potential to undermine the social and economic well-being of the country.
Dr Katema urged artists and dealers in audio-visual works to comply with the law by having all their products for sale on the market affixed with the hologram.
ZAMCOPS Board Chairperson, Edify Hamukale commended the Government for providing a conducive environment for local musical enterprise to contribute to the economic growth of the country.
He said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had increased funding to the society from K15,000 per year to K30,000 and this would enable it to contribute further to the economy of the country.
He said the hologram would enhance Government’s revenue collection through taxation which would help business flourish, reduce poverty levels and create employment if well supported by law enforcement agencies.