Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has initiated investigations on piracy of copyright online and social media platforms.
The investigations launched on January 31st, 2025, will seek to charge the perpetrators involved in copyright infringement under the Copyright Act.
The investigations will be to protect innocent users to the risk of providing personal information and data to persons who may use it for illegal purpose.
George Nyakweba, the Executive Director of KECOBO in a statement revealed that they have received complaints from several entities concerning the infringement of their works online and through social media platforms notably on Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp.
Several Facebook and WhatsApp groups have been formed for the sole purpose of sharing e-newspapers, popular TV content, movie and pirate subscription codes as well as those offering pirate PDF or soft copy books.
Similarly, other websites offer illegal pirate livestreams affecting live football broadcast signals.
Nyakweba stated.
Regarding the matter, Nyakweba warned that anybody found guilty of the offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh. 500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or both.
BE WARNED that under the Copyright Act, any person found committing the above offences shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Kenya Shillings Five Hundred Thousand Only (KShs 500,000.00) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or both.
