News / National
Police HQ halts controversial copyright fee collection
3 hrs ago |
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Police Headquarters in Harare has ordered an immediate stop to the activities of the Reprographic Rights Organisation Zimbabwe (RROZ) in Masvingo, following growing complaints from businesses over the organisation's demand for US$300 copyright licensing fees.
The organisation, which claims to represent publishers, authors and other content creators under Zimbabwe's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, has been visiting businesses such as printing shops, embroidery operators, tailors and retailers, demanding payment for licences. In some cases, operators were reportedly instructed to pay the fee or present themselves at police stations within seven days.
The operations, however, sparked confusion and resistance within the business community, with many stakeholders saying they do not understand the legal basis for the charges and questioning why they are being enforced alongside police officers.
National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that RROZ's activities are not sanctioned by the police and said the directive to halt them was issued after concerns were raised about the organisation allegedly using the police name to legitimise its operations. He stressed that any such enforcement must be properly authorised and coordinated through the relevant government ministries.
RROZ chief executive officer Antony Rimau defended the organisation, saying it is a legally registered collective management organisation mandated to collect royalties on behalf of rights holders. He said the fees are intended to compensate creators for the reproduction of copyrighted materials, particularly in educational and commercial copying environments, and insisted the organisation is operating within the law.
Despite this, some business owners argue that the system is unclear and appears to duplicate existing compliance obligations such as taxation and local authority licensing. They also complain about a lack of transparency in how the fees are calculated and distributed.
Legal experts note that while collective rights organisations are common internationally, their effectiveness depends on clear regulation, strong oversight, and public awareness to prevent confusion or perceived abuse.
The Ministry of Justice has not yet issued an official response to the dispute.
The organisation, which claims to represent publishers, authors and other content creators under Zimbabwe's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, has been visiting businesses such as printing shops, embroidery operators, tailors and retailers, demanding payment for licences. In some cases, operators were reportedly instructed to pay the fee or present themselves at police stations within seven days.
The operations, however, sparked confusion and resistance within the business community, with many stakeholders saying they do not understand the legal basis for the charges and questioning why they are being enforced alongside police officers.
National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that RROZ's activities are not sanctioned by the police and said the directive to halt them was issued after concerns were raised about the organisation allegedly using the police name to legitimise its operations. He stressed that any such enforcement must be properly authorised and coordinated through the relevant government ministries.
RROZ chief executive officer Antony Rimau defended the organisation, saying it is a legally registered collective management organisation mandated to collect royalties on behalf of rights holders. He said the fees are intended to compensate creators for the reproduction of copyrighted materials, particularly in educational and commercial copying environments, and insisted the organisation is operating within the law.
Despite this, some business owners argue that the system is unclear and appears to duplicate existing compliance obligations such as taxation and local authority licensing. They also complain about a lack of transparency in how the fees are calculated and distributed.
Legal experts note that while collective rights organisations are common internationally, their effectiveness depends on clear regulation, strong oversight, and public awareness to prevent confusion or perceived abuse.
The Ministry of Justice has not yet issued an official response to the dispute.
Source - Mirror
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