Copyright case postponed
Due to lack of knowledge on copyright cases, the artist had his case postponed to next year.
Last year, artist Lieutenant Shitana took a shop owner Salom Tangeni to court for copyright infringement of his albums, and many other artists. The case appeared in court this week however it was postponed to next year 3 August due to the limited knowledge of copyright by the magistrate. She has also indicated that she has limited knowledge on how to deal with these kinds of cases. The magistrate also indicated that the hearing could not go ahead as two witnesses, both artists, were not in attendance.
Shitana has been vocal on social media about copyright violation when it comes to his property - the music he produces. Earlier this year, Shitana was arrested for impersonating a police officer in Walvis Bay still fighting against copyright infringement. The artist says he pours so much time, energy and money into making music and it is unfair that people think it is okay to pirate his music and benefit from his hard work.
The issue of copyright has been stressed at the annual general meeting with the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) however there has been no lasting solution found. The Nascam CEO John Max urges the public to stop buying copyrighted music as it discourages artists to fight this battle right. “The delay of copyright infringement court cases discourages artists to attend court proceedings and the forces them to negotiate with the infringers and settle the matter out of court. It begins with the public. Stop buying pirated music so we can end this fight,” he concluded.
The magistrate handling the case suggested that it could be good to have a special court deal with copyright cases. She has requested that Nascam provide more copyright information to her office.
June Shimuoshili
Shitana has been vocal on social media about copyright violation when it comes to his property - the music he produces. Earlier this year, Shitana was arrested for impersonating a police officer in Walvis Bay still fighting against copyright infringement. The artist says he pours so much time, energy and money into making music and it is unfair that people think it is okay to pirate his music and benefit from his hard work.
The issue of copyright has been stressed at the annual general meeting with the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) however there has been no lasting solution found. The Nascam CEO John Max urges the public to stop buying copyrighted music as it discourages artists to fight this battle right. “The delay of copyright infringement court cases discourages artists to attend court proceedings and the forces them to negotiate with the infringers and settle the matter out of court. It begins with the public. Stop buying pirated music so we can end this fight,” he concluded.
The magistrate handling the case suggested that it could be good to have a special court deal with copyright cases. She has requested that Nascam provide more copyright information to her office.
June Shimuoshili
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