ZIMURA’s role in protecting copyright

Alexio Gwenzi and
Hope Masike

All of us play a critical role in ensuring musicians are fairly compensated for their work.

When musicians thrive, so does our music industry!

When everyone adheres to, or honours copyright law, this allows musicians to create freely, invest in their craft, and continue creating the soundtrack to our lives.

In Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) is the cornerstone of copyright protection, royalty collection, and distribution in Zimbabwe.

It is a collective management organisation otherwise also known as a collecting society.

Such an organisation is found in each country world over, for example, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, the Copyright Society of Malawi, SAMRO in South Africa and TONO in Norway.

The organisation was established in 1982 and is owned by the registered composers, song writers, lyricists, producers and publishers of music in the Zimbabwe Music Industry.

It’s 1982 creation has legal backing and is domiciled under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act (Chapter 26:05) sets the rules for a collecting society in Zimbabwe, sections 91 and 92 specifically allow for their establishment.

The role of a collecting society is to manage and protect the rights of its member musicians. ZIMURA ensures everyone plays by the music! From the chill vibes in your favourite coffee shop to the party atmosphere at the local bar, any business that uses music to enhance or market itself needs a ZIMURA licence.

This includes radio stations, TV channels, even banks and any other music-utilising businesses.

Currently, ZIMURA represents nearly 4 500 rights holders with over 300 000 registered works under its protection.

Backed by four decades of experience, ZIMURA has consistently modernised its practices to deliver the best service to its members.

This commitment includes adhering to legal requirements for collective management organisations by affiliating with international and regional royalty collection organisations.

As such, ZIMURA, through the Government, associates with international bodies such as World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), as well as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO).

WIPO has offered ZIMURA “WIPOCONNECT”, a system used for royalty distribution.

Another important international body that ZIMURA is registered with is the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) which plays a vital role in protecting creators’ rights worldwide.

As a registered member of CISAC, ZIMURA benefits from this organisation’s international network in ensuring fair compensation for creators and providing a central source of knowledge and expertise for authors’ societies.

ZIMURA is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property office of Zimbabwe (CIPZ), a department within the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

CIPZ’s primary function is managing the registration and maintenance of intellectual property rights. This includes trademarks, patents, and creative musical works. Away from copyright protection, it is key to also just highlight some of the benefits that comes with joining ZIMURA.

These include legal advice, funeral policy, gratuity allowance which is given to members when they reach a certain age as well as an incapacitation allowance which is given to members if they are unable to fend for themselves and their dependants.

Some of the musicians that have benefited from the gratuity scheme include Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, the late Zex Manatsa and the late Susan Chenjerai among others.

ZIMURA also protects composers and authors from other countries as part of requirements and expectations of the Berne convention which Zimbabwe is a signatory to.

Likewise, through reciprocal agreements signed between ZIMURA and other collecting societies in foreign countries world over, several Zimbabwean artists have also received royalties for use of their music in such foreign countries.

Such musicians who have received these foreign royalties include Jah Prayzah, Janet Manyowa, Alick Macheso, Nutty O, Freeman, Leonard Dembo, Leonard Zhakata, Michael Mahendere, Winky D and the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi among many others.

We therefore urge any serious musician, author, composer, producer or publisher of music in Zimbabwe to seriously consider joining ZIMURA.

As an organised musician, your registration with ZIMURA formalizes your work as your business, not a mere hobby.

It also protects your investments into your career and establishes a formal legacy for you and your family.