Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) is a parastatal organization established in 1992 following the enactment of the Copyright Act of 1989. Its mandate is to promote and protect the interest of authors, composers, performers, producers of sound recording and broadcasters. It also collect and distribute royalties or other remuneration which may accrue to the rights holders for their rights.
The Society has two roles, namely: – a Copyright office, responsible for the implementation of the Copyright Act and as Collective Management Organization (CMO) responsible for collective management of musical, literary and artistic works. COSOMA specializes in Collective Management, Law Enforcement and Copyright Administration.
Vision
The vision statement of COSOMA is to be the most vibrant and leading Copyright in Africa.
Mission
Our mission is to promote and protect creativity through an effective and balanced Copyright and Related Rights System.
CORE VALUES
To achieve its objectives, COSOMA is guided by the following core values: –
- Integrity
In undertaking their activities, the employees of COSOMA endeavour to align their thoughts, motivations, attitudes and actions with the ethical principles by doing the right things.
- Accountability
COSOMA is devoted to be a result-oriented, open and an accountable organization. Its stakeholders have the right to know what activities are being undertaken and delivered and what results are being achieved.
- Professionalism
COSOMA employees are committed to demonstrate knowledge and skills in carrying out their activities, willingness to learn, cooperation with the Society’s stakeholders, support for its members, trustworthy and living up to their commitments.
- Transparency
COSOMA strives to exercise openness in its operations thereby reducing chances of corruption.
OUR FUNCTIONS
COSOMA is responsible for the implementation of the Copyright Act, 2016 and performs the following functions: –
- Promote and protect the interests of authors, performers, translators, producers of sound recordings, broadcasters, publishers and in particular, to collect and distribute any royalties or other remuneration accruing to rights holders in respect of their rights provided for in the Copyright Act, 2016;
- Maintain registers of works, productions and associations of authors, performers, translators, producers of sound recordings, broadcasters and publishers;
- Publicize the rights of owners and give evidence of the ownership of these rights where there is a dispute or an infringement;
- Print, publish, issue or circulate any information, report, periodical, book, pamphlet, leaflet or any other material relating to copyright, expressions of folklore, rights of broadcasters, performers and producers of sound recordings;
- Co-operate with any associations in Malawi;
- Establish and maintain close and continuous working relationships with national, regional and international organizations or institutions whose objectives are similar to those of the Society, and to negotiate bilateral agreements with collecting societies abroad, in particular as regards use that may be subject to an extended collective licence;
- Negotiate and enter into collective agreements as mandated by authors, performers, translators, producers of sound recordings, broadcasters and publishers, or any association thereof, in particular agreements that according to section 58 entail an extended collective licence;
- Ensure that there is constant improvement and continued effectiveness of legislation on copyright and related rights and implementation thereof;
- Devise programs on promotion, introduction and training programs on copyright and related rights, to which end it may co-ordinate its work with national or international organizations concerned with the same subject matter; and
- Advise the Minister on all matters under the Copyright Act of 2016.