A Comparative Analysis of Copyright Laws Governing Music Streaming in Zambia, Kenya, and the United States

Authors

  • Tawila Anamela ZCAS University
  • Chisomo Kalifungwa ZCAS University
  • Chaponga Nguluwe ZCAS University
  • Dr Mildred Chuunga Muhyila ZCAS University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/jmlp.2302

Keywords:

Zambia, Copyright Law, Digital Music, Music Streaming, Copyright Infringement

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the adequacy of Zambia's domestic copyright law in protecting digital songs and their creators within the context of modern music streaming platforms.

Methodology: A qualitative desk research approach was employed, analyzing existing Zambian copyright legislation and comparing it to relevant laws in Kenya and the United States.

Findings: The study found that Zambia's copyright law is ill-equipped to protect digital songs and their creators in the digital age. The law does not explicitly address digital music streaming, leaving artists and copyright owners vulnerable to exploitation. Furthermore, the law's ambiguity regarding digital reproduction can hinder the effective enforcement of copyright rights.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study contributes to the understanding of copyright protection challenges in developing countries, particularly in the context of digital music. Its findings and recommendations offer valuable insights for policymakers and legal professionals seeking to improve copyright frameworks in Africa.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Tawila Anamela, ZCAS University

Lecturer, School of Law

Chisomo Kalifungwa, ZCAS University

Graduate student, School of law

Chaponga Nguluwe, ZCAS University

Lecturer, School of Law

Dr Mildred Chuunga Muhyila, ZCAS University

Lecturer, School of Law

References

INTERNATIONAL STATUTES

Allocation For Music Producers Act, H.R 881 115 Congress (2017-2018)

Copyright Act, No.12 of 2001, Laws of Kenya

Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Public Law, 105-304- Oct 28 1998

Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act, Public Law 104-39-Nov 1, 1995

Music Modernization Act, Public Law 115-262- Oct 11, 2018

ZAMBIAN STATUTES

Copyright and Performance Rights Act, Chapter 406 of the Laws of Zambia

TABLE OF CASES

A and M Records Inc v Napster, 239 F.3d 1004 (US Court of Appeals, 9th circuit 2001)

Adler v George, [1964] 2 QB 7

Apple Computers Inc v Mackintosh Ltd, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 209

Donaldson v Beckett (HL 17 Feb 1774)

Hay v Sloan, [1957] 12 LR 2d 397

Hobbs v CG Robertson, [1970] 2 ALL E.R. 347

Inland Revenue Commissioners v Frere, [1964] 3 WLR 1193

Jennings v Stephens, [1936] ch 469

Jonathan Cape Ltd v Consolidated Press Lt, [1954] A:: ER 253

Ladbroke(football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd, [1964] 1 WLR 273

London Press Ltd v University tutorial Press Ltd, [1916] 2 ch.601

Mai Systems Corp v Peak Computer Inc., 991 F.2d 511 (9th Circuit 1993)

Profekta International Corporation v Lee, [1997] 75 CPR (3d) 369

R v Judge of the City of London Court, [1892] 1 QB 273, 290

Royal college of Nursing v DHSS, [1981] 2 WLR 279

Smith v Hughes, 1960] 1 WLR 830

UMG Recordings Inc. v PM3.com Inc, 54 USPQ 2 d 1668 (US District Court New York 2000)

BOOKS

DeGraaf, L. (1995). Confronting the mass market: Thomas Edison and the entertainment phonograph. Business and Economic History, 24(1), 88-96. [invalid URL removed]

Priest, E. (2021). Future of music copyright collectives in the digital streaming age. Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts, 45(1), 1-42.

Sinclair, G. (2017, February). Psychological ownership and music streaming consumption. In Music & Arts in Action (Vol. 71, pp. 1-16).

M Jacqueline, The English Legal System 8th Ed. (London: Hodder Education)

M Eriksson et al., Spotify Teardown: Inside The Black Box Of Streaming Music (Cambridge Massachusetts, MIT Press 2019)

G M Kanja, Intellectual Property Law, (UNZA Press 2006)

JOURNALS

Adiedeji, A. (2016). The Nigerian music industry: Challenges, prospects and possibilities. [Source Not Provided]

Buiey Jr., O. A. (2020). Copyright's facelift: An analysis of the new look of copyright following the Music Modernization Act and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, 51(1), 1-68.

Chandler, K. (2019). The times they are a-changin': The Music Modernization Act and the future of music copyright law. Tulane Journal of Technology & Intellectual Property, 21, 23-52.

Elton, S. (2019). Mechanical licensing before and after the Music Modernization Act. MEIEA Journal, 19(1), 1-25.

Fuentes, C., Hagberg, J., & Kjellberg, H. (2019). Soundtracking: Music listening practices in the digital age. European Journal of Marketing, 53(3), 483-503. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-10-2017-0753

Lozic, J. (2020). The revenue recovery of the music industry as a result of revenue growth from streaming. Economic and Social Development: Book of Proceedings, 1-10.

Luis Aguiar, L., & Waldfogel, J. (2018). As streaming reaches flood stage, does it stimulate or depress music sales? International Journal of Industrial Organization, 57, 278-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijindorg.2017.06.004

Murphy, S., & Hume, M. (2022). Market readiness for the digital music industries: A case study of independent artists. In G. Morrow, D. Nordgård, & P. Tschmuck (Eds.), Rethinking the Music Business (pp. 207-224). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09532-0_12

Priest, E. (2021). Future of music copyright collectives in the digital streaming age. Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts, 45(1), 1-42.

Sinclair, G. (2017, February). Psychological ownership and music streaming consumption. In Music & Arts in Action (Vol. 71, pp. 1-16).

DISSERTATIONS AND THESES:

D Miriti, (2017). Are authors of musical works adequately protected under Kenyan copyright law? [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi].

McCabe, J. (2019). Beyond the music: An artist's road to release [Doctoral dissertation, Not provided].

Reed, J. (2020). The supply chain of digital music: Empowering independent artists through availability and accessibility [Senior thesis, University of South Carolina]. Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/382

ONLINE SOURCES

Hale, K. (2020). “Universal Music Group’s $3 Billion Tencent Deal Ushers In a Golden Vibes Era”. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/korihale/2020/01/13/universal-musicgroups-3-billion-tencent-deal-ushers-in-a-golden-vibes-era/?sh=404862fc7d53. [04.11.2020.]

J Lungu “Copyrights Royalties and Music Piracy in Zambia”, Musica Africa 31st May, 2020 , https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/copyrights-royalties-and-music-piracy-zambia

Laurence, T. (2018). Wake up Mr. West: Distinguishing albums and compilations for statutory damages in copyright within a streaming-centric music economy. University of Miami Business Law Review, 26(3), 85-112. Retrieved from https://repository.law.miami.edu/umblr/vol26/iss3/6

M Daniels, “Why independent Musicians are becoming the future of the music industry”, July 10 2019, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissamdaniels/2019/07/10/for-independent-musicians-goingyour-own-way-is-finally-starting-to-pay-off/?sh=450fe16314f

Maria A. Pallente, Copyright and the Music Marketplace: A Report of the Register of Copyrights, (Washington, DC: United States Copyright Office, February 2015), 112, https://www.copyright.gov/ policy/musiclicensingstudy/copyright-and-the-music-marketplace.

Sanchez, L. (2020). “Warner Music Group Shows the Music Industry Can Be Profitable Again”. Nasdaq. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/warner-music-group-shows-the-musicindustry-can-be-profitable-again-2020-08-12. [04.11.2020.]

W Chibesakunda, “The Creative Industry: The Biggest Money Earner”, Financial Insight 7 September, 2021, https://fizambia.com/the-creative-industry-the-biggest-money-earner/

Downloads

Published

2024-10-21

How to Cite

Anamela, T., Kalifungwa, C., Nguluwe, C., & Muhyila, M. C. (2024). A Comparative Analysis of Copyright Laws Governing Music Streaming in Zambia, Kenya, and the United States. Journal of Modern Law and Policy, 4(3), 90–108. https://doi.org/10.47941/jmlp.2302

Issue

Section

Articles