The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) has provided further insights into how royalties are allocated to artists and other beneficiaries, shedding light on the amount of money distributed and the factors considered in the process.
Royalties are payments artists receive for their creative works, such as music, film, literature, and other forms of art.
This disclosure was made during an awareness program and media relations meeting held in Blantyre. COSOMA’s Communications Officer, Catherine Mitungwi Chiumia, emphasized the importance of educating artists and journalists to ensure they are well-informed, particularly concerning membership registration, licensing, and the distribution of funds (royalties).
She praised the initiative, stating that it would foster a healthy relationship between journalists and COSOMA’s members, especially as the organization continues to grow.
“Currently, COSOMA has over 18,000 members. This meeting aims to equip both artists and journalists with further knowledge about how we work as a society in our mandate to promote and protect creative works,” she expressed.
Chiumia also addressed concerns raised by some about the distribution of royalties, using the meeting as an opportunity to clarify the procedures and ensure that members understand how the association operates.
Artist San Msokera, popularly known as San B, who attended the meeting, commended COSOMA for its initiative to educate artists about the benefits of registration and membership.
San B expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about the procedures and how to maximize the potential of their artistic work. He urged fellow artists to register with COSOMA, emphasizing that doing so would help them protect their intellectual property and receive fair compensation for their work benefits that could extend to their next of kin as well.