The Music Copyright society of Kenya (MCSK) has asked consumers of music not to pay the revised rates for music entertainment licenses. In an escalation of the feud between MCSK and the Kenya Corporate Board (KECOBO), the society chairman Albert Gachero Kiarie also
threatened to commence contempt proceedings against the board for defying a High court order barring her from interfering with the society
Kiarie said the society was gathering evidence to support a contempt case against the KECOBO for defying a High court order that stayed the board’s decision to transfer functions of MCSK to a rival entity Music Publishers association of Kenya (MPAKE).
He noted that KECOBO through letters to the police was intimidating her officers and restricting the collection of entertainment license fees long after the court issued the injunction. “We are concerned that KECOBO through a letter to DCIOs’ continue to inhibit our work in utter disregard to the court decree. They want to run the affairs of the society against the will of members,” he observed.
Kiarie made the remarks when he met MCSK members at a Kakamega hotel after a mention of a case challenging the board’s decision to bar MCSK from collection music royalties on behalf of local artists. The society was also blocked from issuing entertainment licenses with both functions transferred to MPAKE.
The board decision was stayed by the High court last month pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed by veteran musicians Kennedy Olang’ and John Atoto. When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, it was again put off until July 25th.
The two artists argue that KECOBO acted beyond its powers by transferring MCSK functions to MPAKE with consulting members. They have disowned contents of a gazette notice published by KECOBO indicating an upward review of the license fees for music entertainment terming it non-representative and oppressive to the growth of the music industry.