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The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English and the Penguin English Dictionary define a thief as a person who steals, especially without using violence. This definition gives a vivid picture of what the pirates are doing when they violate intellectual property rights in the name of doing business.
Even though many people may think of piracy as a victimless crime, this form of copyright infringement damages the creative professional’s ability to earn a living from his work.
It appears the public know that piracy is a crime, but the honest truth is that Mai Charity in Kuwadzana, Mukoma Sam in Bindura and Baba Joteka in Warren Park are still oblivious of that fact – because they consider themselves honest and having stolen from no one – because little education has been given to them on intellectual property protection.
Many experts and intellectuals have given suggestions and solutions on minimising and eradicating piracy.
“Piracy has killed the entertainment industry and most musicians are relying on live performances to boost their income,” says Lazarus Boora, who stars as Gringo in the movie “Gringo the Trouble Maker”.
On the other hand, Ziya Cultural Arts Trust which produced the hilarious drama, Sabhuku Vharazipi, tried to counter piracy at the release of their new baby “Sabhuku Vharazipi 2” by announcing the selling points of their drama around the country.
But David Mubayiwa, the hilarious comedy’s main actor, came face-to-face with the ugly face of piracy at Fife Avenue Shopping Centre.
“He (pirate) identified me at Fife Avenue Shopping Centre and told me with a straight face that he had made it in life thanks to Sabhuku Vharazipi,” said Mubayiwa.
“He gave me US$5 as a token of appreciation and claimed that he was now a proud owner of a house and car thanks to piracy.
“To me this was the worst insult I could ever receive.
“I have not even managed to buy a bicycle despite all the toil but some opportunists are making a lot of money by stealing our products.”
Efforts also to curb piracy have seen many cases of people being arrested for selling pirated discs where reported, resulting in some of the perpetrators facing the wrath of the law but all the efforts are in vain because the pirates are still in the streets and it seems like they will not stop.
Last year, Zimpapers, while acting on the call by Information, Media and Broadcast Services permanent secretary, Cde George Charamba, donated US$10 000 to Ziya Cultural Trust to enable the drama group to minimise piracy by reproducing and encrypting DVDs of their drama.
Regarding the donation, the question will be; for how long should our artistes keep on relying on handouts to minimise piracy? Food for thought.
So what should be done to minimise this scourge?
Intellectual property expert at Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Miss Melody Tanga says: “Protecting intellectual property rights requires using several different approaches while adjusting to a market place with a never ending appetite for new content.
“Combined with many other strategies like good legislation and vigorous law enforcement, public education campaigns are critical and must be considered the first port of call in the defence against piracy.
“Grassroots organisations should also work to educate the public about intellectual property rights through online marketing campaigns and even road shows.”
Meanwhile, the artiste’s song to end this scourge seems to be mere noise to the ears of the authorities as even those expected to enforce the law are seen purchasing pirated discs.
“The government should promote strict law enforcement because even the police who are supposed to be law enforcers are buying pirated CDs and DVDs in the streets and this is a stab on the artiste’s chest,” says Aaron Goora, director and scriptwriter of “Blood Stains” action thriller movie.
While our artistes are languishing and crying over the effects of piracy, some artistes in neighbouring South Africa are basking in the glory of the sales of their projects.
An example of this is Bulelwa Mkutukane, populary known as Zahara, who received a multi-platinum certificate from Record Company TS Records and distributors EMI Records after her new album “Phendula” reached double platinum status just two weeks after its release.
Online Reporter