Accra, July 27, GNA - The Copyright Office and the Ghana Association of the Phonographic Industry (GAPI) on Thursday, proposed the use of adhesive labels to identify genuine musical and audiovisuals works from pirated ones.

The labels, which would be purchased from the Internal Revenue Service and the Copyright Office, would be fixed on all new musical works sold on the market.

Mr Bernard Bosumprah, Copyright Administrator, told composers, producers and distributors of musical works at a meeting in Accra to discuss ways to curb piracy in the music industry; that the labels, which would be procured at affordable prices, would serve as a security device for the interim.

He said pirates of audiovisual works had invaded the music industry from both in and outside the country, saying: "From manufacturers down to the producers, everyone is crying because their businesses are collapsing and only the pirates are prospering."

Mr Bosumprah said the fixing of the labels on existing stock would be done by representatives of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and coordinated by Copyright Office and GAPI, in all regions. The Copyright Administrator stated that distributors would be given a month ultimatum to affix their security devices when the exercise began, and there would be no leniency for those who would refuse to do so.

He explained that the process would be followed by a monitoring exercise by the Police, Copyright Office and other stakeholders, to seize and prosecute persons in possession of works without the label. Mr Bosumprah called for the support of all stakeholders to wage war against all pirates.

Alhaji Sidi Kubuari, President of MUSIGA, said the Union was aware of the challenge of protecting musical works in the country and pledged to continue to do more to enforce anti-piracy measures. At an open forum, most distributors expressed dissatisfaction with the adoption of the labels as a security device, which they said, could lead to a loss, since the industry was not doing well.