Features
Collective management organisations and efforts to protect rights owners (Part 2)
In order to increase music users’ obligations, GHAMRO embarked on a number of programmes to ensure its members receive fair remuneration for their works. The programmes include training its members, computerising its database, sensitising users, signing agreements with user groups, and improving royalty collection methods (including the use of the copyright monitoring team). These activities led to annual increases in revenues.
There has been significant growth in revenue from both mechanical rights (private copying levy) and performance rights. There was an increase in revenue from performing rights of 162.7 per cent in 2015 over that of 2014, and an increase of 73.8 per cent in 2016. This trend clearly shows that the programmes designed to increase user obligations in the form of sensitisation and signing of agreements, together with improvements in collection methods, are yielding fruits.
REPROGRAPHIC RIGHTS ORGANISATION OF GHANA (COPYGHANA)
The initial effort towards the establishment of CopyGhana started in 1999 as a joint effort between the Ghana Association of Writers and the Ghana Book Publishers Association under the auspices of the Copyright Office. The organisation was officially named CopyGhana in 2000. Between 2003 and 2011, the Reprographic Rights Organisation of Norway (Korpinor), provided annual funding for the operation of CopyGhana.
CopyGhana is mandated under the Copyright Act of 2005 (Act 690) and the Copyright Regulations to serve as the Collective Management Organisation to license photocopying and some digital copying in the country. The organisation represents and protects the professional, economic, moral and other interests of members in Ghana and abroad.
The current member associations of CopyGhana are:
• Ghana Association of Writers • Ghana Book Publishers Association
• Ghana Journalists Association
• Ghana Association of Visual Artists
• Ghana Union of Professional Photographers
Collecting revenues for its members
Section 18 of the Copyright Regulations defines the mode for collecting revenues for the members of CopyGhana as follows:
1. A reprographic rights collecting society shall determine a fee in respect of photocopying of works protected by copyright and related rights by educational institutions and any other outlets where reprography is carried out commercially;
2. In furtherance of sub-regulation (1), the reprographic rights collecting society shall collect the fee on behalf of stakeholders and beneficiaries; and
3. Where there is a dispute over a fee imposed on photocopying of copyright works by a collecting society, the Tribunal shall levy a flat rate fee as it (Tribunal) considers fit.
The main sources of CopyGhana’s income are reprographic fees through licensing agreements with user institutions and the mechanical rights levy or private copying levy. The licensing strategies of the organisation have been public education, dialogue and negotiations with authorities of user institutions, student leaders and education policymakers.
The challenge the organisation had in its dialogue and negotiations with the authorities of the tertiary institutions was the issue of the minimum permitted copying rights. CopyGhana, in order to prove that the level of photocopying and digital copying being undertaken in the tertiary institutions is above the permitted level, undertook a survey in seven tertiary institutions. The survey was funded by Kopinor and the Copyright Clearance Centre of the USA. As a result, the survey:
1. Provided an important tool for licensing and distribution of remuneration to rights holders
2. Increased rights holders’ awareness of the infringement of their works
3. Raised the awareness of both the authorities and students of user institutions of the level and volume of copying in their institutions
4. Established a scientific way of fixing the tariff
CopyGhana used the results of the survey as a tool to conclude negotiations with 10 technical universities and one public university. Negotiations on signing licensing agreements with the other tertiary institutions are still ongoing, and this is expected to lead to a substantial increase in the revenue of the organisation.
AUDIOVISUAL RIGHTS SOCIETY OF GHANA (ARSOG)
Like the other two collective management organisations, ARSOG’s operations are enforced under the Copyright Act and Copyright Regulations. The organisation’s membership consists of producers, authors and performers in the audiovisual sector of the creative and performing arts industry.The organisation had 147 members in 2012 and, by the end of 2015, the number had increased to 216.
One of the first actions of ARSOG was to develop a website (www.arsog.org) to encourage interaction with its members and the general public. Members can register online as well as put their own works on the site to publicise them for sales locally and internationally.
In 2013, a number of projects were undertaken by ARSOG to help collect enough information for planning. Among the projects were:
1. An impact assessment of infringement on the film industry in the country
2. A market survey to identify true owners of works and the validity of credits of works
3. Identification and sensitisation of users of audiovisual works.
Collecting revenues for its members
Like the other two CMOs, ARSOG is a recipient of the levy on recordable material (blank levy) from the Government on behalf of the owners of audiovisual works. In addition, ARSOG collects royalties on behalf of owners from public users of audiovisual works. The main user categories are the same as that of GHAMRO.
The activities and processes aimed at enhancing the collection of royalties from users are similar to that of GHAMRO. In order to eliminate the duplication of efforts, ARSOG, as one of its resounding decisions to propel the society forward in 2016, entered into collaboration with GHAMRO for ease of operations in areas of common interest.
In conclusion, CMOs in Ghana have stood up to the task of representing their members’ interests vis à vis the public and government. Thus, CMOs are critical intermediaries for the enforcement of copyright laws. The CMOs have the capacity to provide the necessary infrastructure for managing digital rights if they get the needed support from government.
[This piece is culled from a study conducted by Magnus Ebo Duncan (PHD), titled: “Economiccontribution of copyright companies in Ghana”]
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
