The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) is a State Corporation under Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports - State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy. It was established by section 3 of the Copyright Act 2001 and mandated with the administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights. The Board is responsible for organizing legislation on copyright and related rights; conducting training programmes on copyright and related rights; enlightening and informing the public on matters related to copyright; licensing and supervising the activities of collective management societies; and maintaining an effective databank on authors and their works.
Mission
To sustainably advance the growth of the creative industries through effective administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights for socio-economic development in Kenya.
Vision
A model administrator and enforcer of Copyright.
Our Core Values
To fulfill our mandate and in pursuit of our Vision and Mission, our operations and culture will be guided by the following core values:
Our Functions
The major functions of the Board
- Direct, coordinate and oversee the implementation of the laws and international treaties and conventions to which Kenya is a party to and which relate to copyright and other rights recognized by the Act and ensure the observance thereof.
- License and supervise the activities of Collective Management Organisations as provided for under the Act.
- Device and implement training programmes on copyright and related rights.
- Constant review of the copyright and related rights law.
- Enlighten and inform the public on matters relating to copyright and related rights.
- Maintain an effective databank on authors and their works; administer all matters of copyright and related rights in Kenya as provided for under this Act; and deal with Ancillary matters connected with its functions under the Act.
- Ensure the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
Composition
The Board of Directors of the Kenya Copyright Board is comprised of 9 members drawn from both the public and private sectors as provided by Section 6 of the Copyright Act. The chairman is appointed by the President. The three independent Directors are drawn from the private sector being nominees of associations representing the Music, Book publishing, and the audio-visual sectors. The four public sector members are alternates to the Attorney General, the Permanent Secretary - Ministry of ICT, the Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts, and the Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Finance/Treasury. The Executive Director is a member and Secretary to the Board of Directors.