Licensing Process
WHO NEEDS A LICENSE?
- Radio broadcasters
- Pubs
- Live music venues
- Shopping malls
- Cinemas
- Car washes
- Trains
- Non-profit organisations
- Concerts Exhibitions
- Establishment that plays music
- Television broadcasters
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Retail Stores
- Hairdressers
- Mobile Service providers
- DJ’s
- Minibus Taxis
- Churches
- Schools
- Community-based organizations
- Music Festivals
- Public shows that use music
REPROGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION RIGHTS:
COSBOTS established the Reprography Section in 2016 and commenced licensing activities following the approval of the Reprography Tariffs on 18 March 2022. Many Reproduction Rights Organisations (RROs) derive their mandates through authors’ and publishers’ associations, which, in turn, hold mandates from their respective members. Under this model, the participating authors’ and publishers’ associations become members of COSBOTS, unlike in the music sector where individual creators apply directly for membership.
The following categories of works are protected under reprographic reproduction rights:
- “Photograph” includes photolithograph and other work produced by any process analogous to photography but does not include any part of an audio-visual work;
- “Literary work”, irrespective of literary quality, includes any of the following;
- Novels, stories or poetry works;
- Plays, stage directions, film scenarios or broadcasting scripts;
- Textbooks, treatises, histories, biographies, essays or articles;
- Encyclopaedias, dictionaries, or anthologies;
- Letters, reports or memoranda;
- Lectures, addresses or sermons;
- Computer programmes and compilation of data or other material
LICENSE:
A license issued by COSBOTS is an authorization granted on behalf of rights-holders that allows users to legally use copyrighted works.
WHEN DOES MY LICENSE EXPIRE?
The license is a contract that runs annually, or per event and due to the many ways in which musical or non-musical works are performed or displayed, the fees paid for a license or the type of license can vary.
USERS OF COPYRIGHT - MUSIC:
These are business entities, organizations or individuals who use copyright or protected works in their business operations.
IMPORTANT USERS:
Refers to instances where music provides significant entertainment to customers and lures them to the business ( for example bars and liquor restaurants, advertising jingles, gala events, music shops etc.)
ESSENTIAL USERS:
Refers to instances where music is indispensable to the business establishment, the business cannot operate without music, for example televisions and radio stations, concerts and festivals, night clubs etc.
INCIDENTAL USERS:
Refers to instances where music is incidental to the business, it adds value to the business through provision of passive background entertainment ( for instance, trade fairs, chain stores, shops, cinemas, hotels and lodges, public transport, music on hold, beauty and hair salons etc.)
USERS OF COPYRIGHT
Sale of Artistic works:
Any craft shop, business entity, or individual that displays artistic works for the purpose of sale is required to provide COSBOTS with a list of the works being offered for sale, together with the names of their respective authors or creators.
Public Display/ Exhibitors works:
Business entities, organizations or individuals who exhibit or display artistic works to the public for a fee shall inform COSBOTS of its intention at least 2 weeks prior to the exhibition and provide a list of artistic works to be exhibited.
How licensing works:
- COSBOTS issues the application form, which may be completed in person, online, or via WhatsApp.
- Users are required to submit the completed application form within the agreed timeframe.
- Upon receipt of the completed application form, an invoice is issued based on the applicable approved tariff.
- A licence is issued only after payment has been received. Authorization or licensing must be obtained before any copyright-protected works are used.
- Users are obligated to submit user reports/log sheets of the works used on the licensed premises to facilitate the accurate distribution of royalties.