The Interim Copyright Management Team of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA), has descended on users of copyright works such as music, film, literally works, for non-payment of copyright fees.

Mr Stanley Sackey, Board member of COSGA, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday after an inspection exercise that management had organised many radio, television and newspaper education campaigns on copyright fees’ payment in anticipation that users complied with the law.

He noted that the worst offenders were owners of night clubs, drinking sports, radio and television stations, among others. “On the contrary, most of the users of musical works, have decided to unilaterally disregard the humble call from management (COSGA) to pay for what they are using,” he added.

Mr Sackey explained that the refusal to pay these fees motivated the team to randomly inspect receipts and licenses of users to ensure they were in good standing. He said according to the law copyright Act 2005 (Act 690) states that anybody, who used copyright work be it music, film or literally work without authorisation commits an offence which is liable on summary conviction.

He said it also amounted to a fine one not more than GH¢1,000 penalty units and not less than GH¢500 penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than three years or to both. He cautioned members of the public that uploading and downloading music onto computers, phones was an offence punishable by law. A number of foreign nationals operating in the drinking spot and night club business, who spoke to GNA, said they were not aware of the copyright law and more education should be organised for them. Some said they did not understand the language and urged management to be considerate when dealing with them in terms of payment.

The Association wished to inform the general public especially copyright users of the ongoing inspection and urged all defaulters to pay their copyright fess or stop using music publicly, adding that “management may have no option other than to put injunction on all recalcitrant users not to play music throughout festive season.”

The exercise took the team to areas like Osu, Kokomlemle, Adabraka, Dansoman, and Kaneshie all in the Accra Metropolis.