Monrovia – The Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL) on Friday, October 4th, identified with scores of RIGHTS HOLDERS/CREATORS through its WELFARE DISTRIBUTION Component to members of the Creative Industry in Liberia.
By: Shakespear Z. Zeanbo, contributing writer
Beneficiaries of the Welfare Package included members of the Musicians Union of Liberia (MULIB), Liberia Movie Union (LIMU), Liberia Association of Writers (LAW), the Photographers Union of Liberia (NAPUL), the Liberia National Culture Union (LINCU), among others.
The Welfare Distribution was done under a transparent and peaceful atmosphere as more than 250 creators received pay checks in their individual names with different amounts depending on one’s membership with COSOL, proper filing of required documentations and popularity within the creative circle.
Meanwhile, the WELFARE DISTRIBUTION Component was done during the fourth Anniversary of the Copyright Society of Liberia.
COSOL, as an institution, is responsible for collecting royalties for creators throughout Liberia in partnership with sister CMOs (Collective Management Organizations) around the world.
The celebration brought together Musicians, Film Makers, Writers, and Cultural Dancers, among many others.
The Copyright Society of Liberia was established in October, 2019, but became effective on August 17, 2020.
The celebration took place on the grounds of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) on the UN Drive, specifically at the LIPO’s Conference Room.
The fourth Anniversary of COSOL was celebrated under the theme: “ADDING VALUE TO CREATIVITY FOR WEALTH CREATION.”
For his part, the Executive Director of the Copyright Society of Liberia, Hon. James Yanda Draper, empathized with the formation of the Collective Management Society which gave rise to the protection of Creators.
He further expressed gratitude on COSOL’s WELFARE DISTRIBUTION and termed it as a milestone achievement and first in the history of the Copyright Society of Liberia. “Imagine the first Copyright Law of Liberia was enacted in 1911 during the administration of former President Arthur Barclay, but due to its ineffectiveness we have not been able to deliver adequately on behalf of our thousands of Creators,”Hon. Draper asserted.
The Executive Director of COSOL further added that the Institution has a mission to develop a system of creativity in Liberian culture, such that fame and popularity are directly proportional to wealth creation to rights holders in Liberia.
In remarks, the Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, Hon. Garmai Koiboi, urged creators to be steadfast and get ready to work on their own behalf. She at the same time expressed her administration’s willingness in bringing sanity to all members of the creative industry in Liberia. Madam Koiboi admonished creators to stop giving their intellectual properties rights out to radio stations, disc jockeys and other people just in the name of promotion.
Representing the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon. Scholastic Nyenkan Nimely assured LIPO and COSOL that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will give its fullest support to the creative sector. She also encouraged all Musicians, Movies Makers, Cultural Dancers and Writers to join the Liberia Intellectual Property Office and protect their hard-earned Intellectual Rights.
For contributions, Liberia’s newly appointed Arts and Culture Ambassador, Hon. Kekura Kamara pledged his fullest commitment to the Copyright Society of Liberia and the Liberia Intellectual Property Office. He also confirmed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s willingness to bring a rapid change to the Creative Industry in the next two to three years.
Ambassador Kekura M. Kamara in furtherance, however, assured members of the creative industry that he will do everything possible to promote the Arts and Culture nationally and on the Global stage, beginning with the rectification of all pending Arts and Culture Conventions, Protocols and Treaties within the National Legislature.
The Presidents of the various Artists Unions unanimously expressed their willingness to join the COSOL-LIPO band wagon in the pursuit to improve the wellbeing of Creative Artists.
