The training introduced participants to new issues in the area of copyrights and related rights, the linkages between copyright offices and the collective management systems. The meeting also discussed the current status and challenges of collective management organisations in Africa.
It could be recalled that the Gambia Copyright Act was enacted in 2004 and provides for a two tier copyright administrative mechanism for The Gambia: The Gambia Copyright Office under the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Collecting Society of The Gambia, an autonomous body corporate Collective Management Organisation runned by creators through the board to collect and distribute royalties. The Collecting Society Office is responsible for registering works, sensitising Gambians on copyright issues and facilitating The Gambia’s participation and adherence to international copyright treaties and conventions.
Following its inauguration in May 2013, vis-a-vis the enactment of the Copyright Law of The Gambia in 2004, the board tirelessly endeavoured to ensure CSG’s success. Series of meetings and workshops were organised to map-out the way forward. Sensitisation of the public and relevant stake-holders has also started but not much has been done yet, due to the absence of the required funds and logistics. Ecowas has provided furniture and some office equipment to commence operations, with an office space provided by government. The society is currently setting up the required infrastructures and technology systems to start registering works of creators in January 2015 and collecting royalties by May 2015.
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