OPINION: How Piracy harms musicians
6 November 2013
Piracy in the most simplest terms can be defined as stealing of music.
When a musician releases a song or music it is bound by copyright meaning that the music is rightfully theirs and can only be accessible to others if they assent to it.
Ideally an artist is meant to get profit from the sales of albums and distribution of their music, however, we find that this to most artists in Kenya has been a far stretched dream since most of their music is copied and sold for ridiculous prices, not even comparable to the amount of effort and hard work they put in to their music.
Their music is illegally distributed even before they launch their material to people.
Luckily technology has come in and is helping artists curb this harmful vice that causes major loses, placed at billions and in some cases bankruptcy for some artists.
Platforms such as Mdundo give artists the chance to put their music up legally for fans to download and for every download they get on a song they earn royalties for it.
Music on the platform can be distributed as free or on a premium basis and for both systems there are gains.
Although more strict laws have been placed by the government and have become instrumental in reducing copyright infringement this problem I still very rampant in the rural areas.
so support lets local talent and give artists the chance to reap from what they sow.
When a musician releases a song or music it is bound by copyright meaning that the music is rightfully theirs and can only be accessible to others if they assent to it.
Ideally an artist is meant to get profit from the sales of albums and distribution of their music, however, we find that this to most artists in Kenya has been a far stretched dream since most of their music is copied and sold for ridiculous prices, not even comparable to the amount of effort and hard work they put in to their music.
Their music is illegally distributed even before they launch their material to people.
Luckily technology has come in and is helping artists curb this harmful vice that causes major loses, placed at billions and in some cases bankruptcy for some artists.
Platforms such as Mdundo give artists the chance to put their music up legally for fans to download and for every download they get on a song they earn royalties for it.
Music on the platform can be distributed as free or on a premium basis and for both systems there are gains.
Although more strict laws have been placed by the government and have become instrumental in reducing copyright infringement this problem I still very rampant in the rural areas.
so support lets local talent and give artists the chance to reap from what they sow.
Leave your comment