The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) on Tuesday, September 12, announced plans to start implementing the Blank Tape levy.
In a statement, the Board indicated the new levy will be effected on September 15 in a bid to increase funds collected as royalties in the country.
The levy will be imposed on any digital and electronic device with recording capacity that may be used to copy or record copyrighted content.
These blank devices include smartphones, smart watches, USB drives, and laptops/computers among others.
“This is to notify the general public of the commencement of the implementation of the Blank Tape Levy with effect from September 15, 2023, pursuant to sections 28(3)(6) and 30(6) of the Copyright Act and the second schedule part B of the Copyright Regulations 2020,” the statement read in part.
Importers of blank devices will also be required to pay the stipulated amount as defined by the Kenya Copyright Board.
Defending the implementation of the levy, Ezekiel Mutua, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO insisted that it would generate Ksh6 billion in revenue annually.
The money will expand the royalties pull and benefit different individuals with copyrighted content.
According to Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, the levy was key in revamping the royalties collection systems.
“If we are able to launch it [Blank Tape], the collection of royalties will go up ten-fold,” CS Namwamba stated.
