The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), has issued a strong warning to businesses and institutions over widespread non-compliance with intellectual property laws governing the commercial use of creative content.
In an official release, the Ministry stated that: “it has come to the attention of the MoCI that users of creative contents, music, arts, movies, among others are, in their majority, not in compliance with the rules governing the commercial use of those materials bearing the intellectual property rights of persons and institutions.”
The Ministry cited violations of sections 9.6, 9.35, and 9.36 of the 2016 Intellectual Property Act, as well as related copyright regulations.
According to the statement, such practices constitute a “tacit violation of the general business laws and the intellectual property law.”
Such practices, the release said, risk undermining Liberia’s commitments to international trade obligations on intellectual property.
The Ministry also warned that continued non-compliance threatens the growth and sustainability of the creative and entertainment industries.
MoCI said, all registered businesses operating must obtain the necessary copyright clearances and licenses before commercially exploiting creative works, as required by law.
The Ministry said, it is “categorically clear” on the need for full compliance moving forward.
To enforce these regulations, the Ministry announced that it will collaborate with key implementing partners, including the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), and the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL), to conduct routine surveillance and inspection exercises nationwide.
The directive applies broadly to users of creative content, including mobile network operators, hospitality establishments such as hotels, bars, and restaurants, traders and retailers of music and movies, broadcasters including television and radio stations, as well as importers of devices capable of transmitting, receiving, or storing such content.
The Ministry has meanwhile, urged all affected entities to take immediate steps to regularize their operations and adhere strictly to the intellectual property laws. By Tarr UB Garnett/Ablee-Jay TV