MCSK, PAVRISK clash over licensing rights in Kenya’s music sector

PAVRISK, which has been authorised by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), claims it is now the legitimate collective management organisation (CMO) mandated to issue copyright licences and collect royalties from users of music, including broadcasters and general businesses.

According to local media, PAVRISK chairman Edwardo Waigwa spoke at a press conference attended by the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK), where he warned the business community against accepting licences bearing names such as KAMP Copyright & Related Rights Limited (KAMP):PRISK:MCSK or KAMP:PAVRISK:MCSK or KAMP:MCSK, saying they are “null and void”.

“We note with concern the rampant issuance of illegal invoices and Unified Copyright Licences by some unscrupulous individuals to unsuspecting members of the business community,” Waigwa said. He added that PAVRISK had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PERAK, designating the association as its official royalty collection agent.

On 6 June 2025, KECOBO issued a public notice asserting that KAMP and PAVRISK were the only legitimate CMOs authorised to issue licences to users of copyrighted music. The board warned that any licensing bearing combined names — such as MCSK-PAVRISK-KAMP — was “illegal and criminal”, adding that all valid licences must be issued by KAMP and PAVRISK and accompanied by a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) e-TIMS certificate.

However, MCSK has hit back, accusing both KECOBO and PAVRISK of misleading the public and misrepresenting its licensing authority.

In a strongly worded public notice, MCSK said: “MCSK continues to lawfully administer the rights of authors, composers, and publishers in Kenya. These rights are derived from valid assignments granted directly to MCSK by the original creators of music and remain in full legal force.”

The society’s CEO, Ezekiel Mutua, dismissed PAVRISK’s licensing efforts as “unauthorised and legally null and void”, insisting that the authority to license emanates from copyright owners themselves, not solely from KECOBO.

“Any attempts by PAVRISK to issue licences, invoices or undertake royalty collections in respect of such works are unauthorised,” Mutua said. He advised music users to disregard representations made by PAVRISK regarding works administered by MCSK.

MCSK further warned businesses that making payments to unauthorised entities such as PAVRISK does not absolve them of liability. Users may still be required to pay MCSK and risk legal action, including civil enforcement and criminal prosecution.

Mutua also addressed KECOBO’s move to withhold MCSK’s operational licence, saying the matter was under legal contestation and may be escalated to the Copyright Tribunal. “The matter is sub judice, and no final decision has been rendered that extinguishes or overrides MCSK’s legal mandate or proprietary rights,” he said.