adminmusic pirates, saying the act was a reflection of the level of arrogance by the illegal music dealers.
The call comes in the wake of skirmishes that occurred when vendors attacked policemen who had come to assist Chibaya by arresting vendors who were selling pirated copies of Chiedza Chevatendi’s music in Harare’s CBD on Tuesday last week.
Chibaya suffered injuries as a result of the assault and had to be treated at Parirenyatwa Hospital after being given a police report.
Emion Sibindi, the president of the Zimbabwe Association of Recording Industries, described the attack as barbaric and an act of disrespect on the holders of intellectual property, who are the artistes themselves.
“Obviously it really surprises me that a person who is stealing from musicians by pirating their music has the guts to attack them for trying to stop their illegal practice (piracy).
“It shows the level of arrogance that these pirates have and the most worrying aspect is why are the artistes who are the owners of the intellectual property, not being protected?
“Our goods (music) are being stolen yet everyday you see the pirated copies being sold on the streets and nothing is being done about it,” Sibindi, who is also the director of leading music recording company, Metro Studios, said.
Gospel musician Amos Mahendere called for stiff penalties against people who are caught selling pirated copies.
“It is very sad that the pirates are now taking the law into their own hands.
“They must be brought to book because they are going too far by attacking the very people whom they are stealing from.
Piracy is a serious crime and Government should find a way of weeding it out. Why should they think that they are above the law?” he said.
Innocent Mjintu added: “It’s sad that musicians have to suffer by losing out on sales of their work.
“Now we are on the receiving end again in a physical way from the very same people who reap from where we sowed.”
Piracy has been one of the biggest challenges that artistes the world over have been facing in recent years.
The practice has affected not only the artistes alone but also the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many countries, Zimbabwe included.
Although in Zimbabwean organisations like the Zimbabwe Association for Recording Industries and Anti Piracy Organisation of Zimbabwe have been on the forefront in the fight against piracy, the practice seems to be on the rise with no solution in sight.
Online Reporter