Kenyan music producers move to court over Skiza compensation
The lawsuit lists numerous songs that have generated significant revenue through the Skiza platform but for which the producers have received no compensation
Renowned Kenyan music producers Jacky B, Bizzy B, Teddy B, Ihaji, and Totti have today moved to court to seek rightful compensation for their copyright in music compositions featured on the Safaricom Skiza platform.
The producers claim that despite their contributions to hundreds of songs available on the platform over the past decade, they have not received any payments for their intellectual property rights.
The producers, in the suit filed by Bond Advocates LLP, have cited the Kenya Copyright Act, 2001, which explicitly provides for all contributors to music — authors, composers, performers, and producers — to be fairly compensated for the use of their works. Specifically, Section 30(c) of the Act mandates payment to all rights holders whose works are exploited for commercial purposes. However, despite this legal provision, the producers argue that Safaricom has continuously failed to compensate them for their rightful earnings.
“This case is not just about us as individual producers; it is about ensuring that all music creators receive the fair compensation they deserve for their work. For years, we have contributed to the growth of the Kenyan music industry, yet our rights have been ignored. We are seeking justice, not just for ourselves, but for every producer and composer whose work has been used without due payment,” said Teddy B, speaking on behalf of the producers.
The lawsuit lists numerous songs that have generated significant revenue through the Skiza platform but for which the producers have received no compensation. This case highlights the broader systemic challenges facing Kenyan music producers and other creatives in enforcing their rights under existing copyright laws.
The producers urge relevant authorities, industry stakeholders, and the general public to support the enforcement of copyright laws to ensure that all creators receive fair compensation. They also call upon Safaricom and other digital music distributors to uphold ethical business practices by honoring copyright obligations.
“This legal action marks a significant step in the fight for fair compensation and copyright enforcement in Kenya’s music industry. The producers remain committed to seeking justice and ensuring that future generations of creatives are not subjected to similar exploitation,” said the producers in a statement.
Lady Justice Janet Mulwa of the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi, set a return for hearing interpartes on February 19, 2025.
The issue of copyright violations and compensation in the Kenyan music space has been a big challenge for many years. Players in the music industry –including artistes, producers, composers and performers have always cried foul.
Regime after another have tried to find a solution to these endless wrangles without much success. The Kenya Copyright Board has always been at loggerheads with collective management organisations such as the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), and Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK), formerly Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK).
