Africa’s creative industry is flourishing, but piracy jeopardises the livelihoods of those behind it. According to experts, preserving intellectual property is crucial for creators to live off their creations.
In most African countries, copyright is automatically in force when a piece of art, script, or song is set. Protection often lasts throughout a creator’s lifetime and up to 50 to 70 years after death. Legal practitioners are quick to caution, though, that registration, where feasible, enhances the stand of a creator in law.
“Copyright is a survival tool for creatives,” says Frikkie Jonker, Director of Anti-Piracy Broadcasting & Cybersecurity Services at MultiChoice Group. Voluntary registration systems provide official proof of ownership, aiding in enforcement against infringement. If material is used without permission, developers should act quickly by collecting evidence like screenshots, URLs, and original project files. They can issue takedown notices to platforms to prevent unauthorised sharing. Most African countries follow the US DMCA model, requiring prompt removal of infringing works, while larger cases may involve copyright commissions or law enforcement agencies.
Technology provides additional protection. Digital watermarking embeds visible or invisible markers into content, whilst fingerprinting identifies unique data patterns within a work. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook already use these tools to detect piracy automatically.
International organisations, including Interpol, Afripol, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), are assisting African nations in strengthening IP enforcement through cross-border cooperation and mediation services.
In some cases, creators can even monetise content that has been used without permission. For example, YouTube’s Content ID system redirects advertising revenue from infringing videos to the original rights holder.
Ultimately, experts advise creators to remain proactive: document their work, register it where possible, monitor for infringements, and take swift action.
“The goal is to let creatives focus on creating — not chasing pirates,” says Jonker.
