Pirates beware

Zimbabwe Musicians Union patron, said piracy was a direct threat to the survival of the entire arts industry.
“Piracy represents direct losses to the individuals and companies who innovatively create and produce arts products, it results in loss of earning to the artist and the company, loss of jobs to employees, loss of revenue to the Government and loss of innovation to the artist,” he said.

Minister Shamu said Government will establish hotlines to help in the fight against piracy by supplying vital information on the activities of people who are pirating. “It is also important to consider establishing hotlines within the arts industry to enable members of the public to participate by supplying information on the activities of pirates,” he said.

The President of Zimbabwe Association of Recording Industry Mr Emion Sibidi said the piracy scourge should be debated in Parliament.
“Our goal this year is to find ways to stamp out music and film piracy throughout Zimbabwe. The task is huge since piracy is now more like an incurable disease which has spread throughout the country,” he said.

Mr Silver Ndifon, who was representing the Nigerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Mamman Nuhu shared their country’s experience of piracy.
He said a lot of money is being lost because of piracy and that it is affecting the Nigeria’s economy. “The Federal government loses over 26 million naira annually to international piracy of Nigerian movies in the United States, Canada and Europe,” he said.