Copyright inspectors to return

Before 2019, there was often mayhem when copyright inspectors walked into places of entertainment to arrest DJs and confiscate equipment include computers, turn-tables and speakers.

However, the Government soon banned the copyright inspectors after several complaints were raised.

 
On Monday, during a consultative meeting by several CMOs (Collective Management Organisations) at National Theatre in Kampala, it was heard that the Government had lifted the suspension off the activities of copyright inspectors and that they would resume work soon.

The meeting, to review the draft guidelines for the inspectors developed by URSB (Uganda Registration Services Bureau) was jointly organised by URRO (Uganda Reproduction Rights Association), UPRS (Uganda Performing Rights Society) and UFMI (Uganda Federation of Movie Industry), bodies that represent the interests of rights holders of authors, musicians and filmmakers respectively.

 
Before their withdrawal in 2019, inspectors had the legal authority to inspect premises suspected of copyright infringement, enforce licensing compliance and confiscate infringing materials such as illegal playback devices and public sound systems. Their presence alone was often enough to ensure compliance, especially in bars, event venues and entertainment spaces.

However, URSB suspended the inspectors after concerns emerged about abuse. While the move was meant to clean up the system, it left a vacuum. Since the withdrawal, compliance has steadily decline and licensing has become largely voluntary.
For Uganda’s entertainment industry, the timing is significant.

As music, film and live performances continue to drive youth employment and cultural influence, the need for structured copyright enforcement has become harder to ignore.

 
Charles Batambuze, Executive Director of URRO, said, “Copyright inspectors are central to enforcement of the law because they have statutory powers to inspect premises, confiscate infringing materials and testify in court.”

 
“Since the suspension of inspectors, enforcement by CMOs has weakened significantly, piracy has increased and royalty collections have declined. The creative industry survives on protection, and when enforcement is weak, creators suffer.”

He added that the new guidelines must be practical and strong enough to restore compliance, curb piracy and protect the livelihoods of rights holders.

 
“With the new guidelines, inspectors are coming back to enforce copyright compliance properly and protect the rights of creators,” said Martin Nkoyoyo, Chairman, UPRS.

 
Batambuze added that the copyright inspectors will be drawn from existing staff within the collective management organisations, with about 20 inspectors expected to operate jointly across the sector.

“The inspectors are already staff of the CMOs, and collectively we shall have about 20 copyright inspectors,” he said.

“They will operate countrywide, not limited to specific regions, and they will begin work immediately after they are issued with inspector licences.”