ZIMBABWE Music Rights Association (Zimura) chief executive officer Polisile Ncube-Chimhini (pictured) has called on all musicians to be diligent and responsible in their creative process to ensure that they remain professional and continue to operate within set standards.
Ncube-Chimhini underscored the need to respect existing laws that govern and sustain the music industry globally.
Speaking in response to a rift between Joyful Praise Choir, an award winning Zimbabwean gospel outfit and Zig Zag Band, the country’s most outstanding legendary outfit, over infringement of copyright, Ncube-Chimhini stressed the importance of seeking permission to musicians’ works to avoid legal disputes.
“One key lesson that can be drawn from the case of the Zig Zag Band and the Joyful Praise Choir is the importance of adhering to copyright law,” she said.
“It is essential for anyone intending to use copyrighted musical works to seek permission first.”
Zimura is a collective management organisation responsible for protecting and promoting the rights of music creators, including composers, songwriters and publishers.
“Furthermore, it is advisable for musicians to register their works with organisations like the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association,” Ncube-Chimhini said.
“By doing so, they ensure that their musical creations are protected against copyright infringement.
“And this case serves as a reminder of the need for diligence and responsibility in the creative process, reinforcing the notion that copyright protection is not just a legal obligation but a vital aspect of sustaining a vibrant and equitable music industry.
“Violation of copyright can has serious implications for any musical company and it is not merely an ordinary issue that can be easily resolved.”
She said there were several implications associated with copyright infringement which include financial losses from sales, streaming and performances.
“On the legal side a lawsuits are usually costly to settle,” she said.
“Reputation damages affect relations with other artistes, partners and fans, leading to a loss of trust and credibility, among other factors.”
Zimura said efforts are being done to ensure that such matters are avoided at all cost.
“As Zimura, we recognise that the workshops we conduct are significant eye-openers for many artists, leading to a marked increase in awareness about copyright issues and empowering them to better understand their rights and the importance of protecting their creative works,” Ncube-Chimhini said.
“Although we are committed to improving our outreach and educational efforts, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done.
“We strive to engage not only aspiring musicians and DJs but also the general public in understanding the importance of copyright and the serious consequences of infringement.”
Joyful Praise Choir and Zig Zag Band fallout with each other after the choir used part of Zig Zag Band’s song Gomo Ramasare, a 1987 hit to compose the song Ngoro Yeminana in 2018.