The Copyright Office, has issued a firm warning to television stations illegally broadcasting content without proper authorization.
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 11, the Committee revealed that several stations had been found airing movies, TV series, sports events, and other creative works downloaded from streaming platforms without the necessary licenses.
The statement stressed that such actions amount to copyright infringement and are criminal offenses under Ghana’s Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), as amended. Offenders, whether individuals or organizations, risk facing serious legal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or both.
The Committee condemned the widespread misuse of copyrighted content, noting that it undermines the creative industry by depriving artists and rights holders of their earnings, while also breaching both local and international intellectual property laws.
To address the issue, all broadcasters have been instructed to:
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Immediately stop airing any content for which they lack the rights;
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Obtain proper licenses from rights holders or authorized agencies;
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Maintain accurate records of all content agreements for review.
The Office also announced increased nationwide monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with law enforcement bodies to curb copyright violations.
The statement concluded with a call for broadcasters to respect intellectual property laws and contribute to the growth of Ghana’s creative economy by operating within legal frameworks.
Source: myghanadaily
