Izeki ndi Jakobo Studios, a company jointly run by children of the departed Malawian comic duo of John Nyanga and Eric Mabedi (Izeki ndi Jakobo) has expressed concern with the unauthorised use of video productions of the duo.
There is an increasing online use of video clips of the duo, mainly from their films I am the Road You Walk and Kukhala on numerous Facebook pages, a development the company says borders on intellectual property right infringement.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, one of the partners at Izeki ndi Jakobo Studios, William Nyanga said people who are using and sharing the content are doing so without seeking permission from the intellectual right owners.
William said: “As a company, we manage everything to do with Izeki ndi Jakobo; the name, content and all material related to the brand. If anyone wants to use anything about Izeki ndi Jakobo they first need to approach us and we can agree on the terms and conditions.”
He said they are planning to have all related content taken down so that people who want to watch anything from Izeki ndi Jakobo should do so from their official online channels.
William said they registered all the material with the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) and they do receive the blank media levy.
Cosoma senior distribution officer Shadreck Kumtengo said the use of such unathorised use of such content may constitute copyright infringement where the content is reproduced, distributed or communicated to the public without the permission.
He said Cosoma can only take certain enforcement actions effectively when acting on behalf of or in collaboration with the right owner.
Kumtengo said: “Cosoma can work with rights holders and digital platforms through several measures such as monitoring and evidence gathering, notice and take-down procedures, rights holder engagement. Licensing solutions and legal enforcement.”
