Chronicle EditorTrust Khosa, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Following lobbying from various music institutions addressing concerns over the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura)’s announcement that all cover bands should pay a US$150 licensing fee per show, a decision that faced opposition from some musicians and industry professionals, Zimura has expressed willingness to revisit the tariff if proper lobbying processes are followed.
This comes after the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) recently facilitated a productive dialogue with Zimura and various music industry stakeholders to address the controversial US$150 licensing fee imposed on cover bands. The meeting, held in Harare last week, focused on creating a fair and sustainable tariff structure for cover bands operating within the country.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives from NACZ, Zimura, academics, associations, unions, composers, cover band leaders, and beneficiaries of intellectual property rights.
NACZ communication and marketing manager Aggabu Nyabinde issued a statement following the meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome and the willingness of all parties to continue the dialogue. “The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a productive stakeholder meeting with Zimura and other music industry representatives. This meeting was prompted by lobbying from various music institutions who sought to address concerns following Zimura’s announcement that all cover bands should pay a US$150 licensing fee per show,” Nyabinde said.
He added that Zimura has expressed openness to revisiting the tariff if the proper lobbying processes are followed, including engaging with the composers whose music is performed by the cover bands.
“Zimura indicated that there is room for revisiting the tariff if the proper lobbying process is followed. They will engage the composers whose music is being performed by the cover bands for their input.
“NACZ will work closely with Zimura to facilitate the necessary processes and come up with a solution that brings unity and harmony to the music industry,” Nyabinde said.
“The National Arts Council is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive arts sector. This meeting marks a significant step forward in addressing the concerns of cover bands while upholding the rights of copyright holders.”
The NACZ highlighted the importance of aligning all stakeholders’ understanding of intellectual property rights and incorporating international standards for royalty collection from cover bands.
A key point of the discussion centred on reaching an agreement on fair fees that respect both the rights of composers and the operational realities of cover bands.
“All attending parties agreed that music is intellectual property and should be compensated when used in any form. It is both legal and just for composers to seek compensation for the public performance of their work,” Nyabinde said.
The conversation also addressed the role of venue owners and festival organisers, who typically handle royalty payments for cover bands as part of their copyright licenses.
“In Zimbabwe, our law provides for Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) to collect directly from artists,” Nyabinde outlined.
The meeting aligned with the National Music Strategy launched in 2022, which advocates for a well-structured copyright system that ensures fair distribution of royalties to all contributors, including songwriters, performers, producers, and publishers.
“This collaborative approach will not only benefit all stakeholders but will also contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s creative economy in line with the national vision for 2030,” Nyabinde added.
Notable attendees included NACZ executive director Napoleon Nyanhi, Zimura executive director Polisile Chimhini, and Zimbabwe Musicians Union representative Chioneso Rutsito.
The meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the ongoing concerns surrounding the licensing tariffs for cover bands and further strengthening the music industry’s copyright framework.
Online Reporter