In a major step forward for Kenya’s creative industry, the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) has officially been granted a six-month provisional license by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) to operate as a Collective Management Organization (CMO).
This decisive move follows a High Court directive compelling the regulator to issue licenses to qualified organizations.
The announcement was made in a public notice dated April 4, 2025, and signed by KECOBO Chairman Joshua Kutuny.
The board held a special sitting to address the long-standing licensing dispute and implement the ruling of both the High Court and the Copyright Tribunal.
“The Board of Directors of the Kenya Copyright Board has today resolved to comply with court order and grant the three CMOs a six-month conditional provisional license,” Kutuny stated.
PAVRISK CEO Joseph Njagih welcomed the development, saying it marks a critical milestone for performers and rights holders across Kenya’s music and film sectors.
“With this provisional license, we are now fully recognized under Section 46(2) of the Copyright Act 2001. This empowers us to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of Authors, Composers, Arrangers, and Performers of copyrighted works,” Njagih said.
According to Njagih, the license now extends PAVRISK’s mandate to include a broad spectrum of creative professionals ranging from musicians and sound engineers to scriptwriters, actors, and actresses in the audio-visual field.
“This endorsement by KECOBO will bring clarity to users such as broadcasters, event organizers, and hospitality providers, who have for years been confused about which body is legally allowed to license and collect royalties,” he explained.
Justice Wamae Cherere of the High Court had, just a day prior to KECOBO’s announcement, issued a ruling compelling the regulator to heed the Copyright Tribunal’s directive to license PAVRISK and other eligible CMOs.
Since August 2024, PAVRISK has issued invoices amounting to more than Ksh 400 million to various users of music and audiovisual content.
Njagih revealed that enforcement efforts are now underway to ensure these dues are collected.
“We urge all users in possession of valid invoices to make payments promptly so that we can channel those funds back to the rightful creatives behind the work,” he said.
Njagih also issued a stern warning to individuals and groups posing as CMOs without licenses, reminding the public of Section 46(12) of the Copyright Act.
“It’s a criminal offense to masquerade as a licensed collecting agency. Any payments made to imposters are considered null, and the payer will still be liable to pay the rightful CMO,” he emphasized.
To that end, PAVRISK is preparing to dispatch enforcement teams and, if necessary, will seek redress through the Small Claims Court to ensure compliance.
