Cosoma distributes millions in loyalties
The Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) says over 2 000 artists have received their loyalties in last few months.
Cosoma’s distribution officer Steven Kumtengo more are getting or about set to get their loyalties including legendary musician, Giddes Chalamanda.
“Cosoma has for the past months distributed royalties from MBC for the years 2015 to 2019, ringtones for Airtel for 2016 and 2019 for TNM and public performance for 2017 to 2019. There are over 2,000 artists who have received the royalties.
“Some of the artists that have received their loyalties are Lucious Banda, Lulu, Evance Meleka, Sharma Vocals, Favoured Martha, Ethel Kamwendo, Patience Namadingo, Piksy and Black Missionaries. There is no top artist for all loyalties in general as each category has a specific artist getting more,” he explained.
Kumtengo says the loyalties are back-dated due to reasons beyond the control of Cosoma.
“Most radio stations owed Cosoma for a long time. That’s why the loyalties are distributed now after receiving the money. It is because Cosoma distribute the royalties after receiving the money from the users of the works.
“For Giddes, he has been getting loyalties for broadcasting and public performance. He now has even gotten some loyalties from the just distributed blank media levy for 2019 and 2020,” he said.
The musician’s buddies of Edgar ndi Davis fame confirmed that they have been facilitating Chalamanda’s loyalties.
“My role with Edgar has been simply to follow up with Cosoma every time we hear or suspect that there are our payment due. Sometimes the people from Cosoma generously contact us to advise about payments. When that happens, we always enquire about Giddes as well and at times he comes to Blantyre.
“Those payments are really helpful for most artists, especially during this time of Covid 19 when they are not performing and hence not getting any fees,” said one member of the duo, Davis Njovu.
Meanwhile, Cosoma executive director Dora Makwinja, says almost all radio stations owe the copyright body different amounts in terms of loyalties.
“It is over K40 million. Zodiak owes K12.3 million, Times radio/TV owes K8.5 million, Angaliba radio/TV owes 3.5 million, Galaxy radio owes K3.4million among other media houses. These are two or three years debts,” she explained.
