By Simbarashe Mudhokwani
The role of artistic
creativity in Zimbabwe continues to be polluted regardless of the pivotal role that
it is playing in nation building. Art contributes much to the Zimbabwean
economy. Although arts and culture plays a significant role, the intellectual
property rights of artists continue to face strong and wide violation. There
are more gains to be received by Zimbabwe as a nation through arts and culture,
if a holistic embracement of respect to the intellectual property rights of
artists is harnessed. A fully
understanding and recognition of artists’ intellectual property rights brings
effective outcomes which transform the livelihoods of many artists.
The Intellectual Property
Rights simply refers to the fundamental elements where the mind has the power
of innovating; creating and inventing artistic work. These creative works are
supposed to be protected by laws. The Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act Chapter
26:05 and Regulations in Zimbabwe is one instrument that helps in protecting
intellectual property. Zimbabwean creative rights have been lost to other
countries and continents and artists continue to loose much money. A range of
intellectual properties in the Zimbabwean arts and culture sector, like in many
nations encompasses those who are into filming and multi-media productions,
performing arts, cultural industries, literature and languages, open
performances/spoken word. Over and above all, the intellectual properties touch
those who are into visual arts and this is a sector that faces a big challenge
of intellectual rights violation. What could be a solution that will allow the
artists to reap what they are working for?
In the streets of Harare,
pirated CDs are flooding the market and very few artists are getting
considerable benefits from their innovations. A pirated CD copy is sold out on
the street at US$1 or US$1 per two copies. The amount siphons the creative
energy and sweat of most artists in Zimbabwe. Some art works are sold beyond
the Zimbabwean boarders at higher prices and the inventors of art works will
not gain anything. For the novelists and the book industry, their literature is
sold on the street corners after photocopied. Are Zimbabwe’s cultural
industries ever going to grow professionally considering situation affecting
the artists?
Some of the national institutions
such as schools are also photocopying books. It remains a pity for the owners
of art works that they are battling to have a long standing solution for
piracy. The crafters are also having their material taken and sold out of
Zimbabwe, with a number of middle-men coming from within Zimbabwe and other
countries such as South Africa. Binga baskets make up a good example of the
disrespectful of the intellectual property rights of Zimbabwean artists. Old
grandmothers in Binga are the owners and crafters of baskets. These old women
are under-paid for these creative works. The middle-men then make more money
out of the baskets.
The creation of copyrights
and law enforcements help in the recognition of the works of the artists.
Intellectual properties plays a pivotal role of uplifting the living standards
of artists, contributing to the development of most countries’ economies,
cultures and heritage, hence the need for promoting intellectual property
rights.
These intellectual
properties are all intangible capacities because they draw their inspirations
from socio-economic and political spheres of any period.
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ReplyDeletewonderful post that i always revisit and am developing interests on ways to protect the violation of the IPRs of artists
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