Lack of copyright law killing South Sudan music industry: artist

Absence of a copyright law in South Sudan has affected the music industry, an artist said.

Absence of a copyright law in South Sudan has affected the music industry, an artist said.

Speaking on Radio Tamazuj’s youth proramme on Friday, Alfred Lengu said there are no direct subscribers who pay for their music due to lack of copyright laws.

Lengu, popularly known as Mr. Lengs, urged government to ensure that there is a copyright legislation to protect South Sudanese music.

“We don’t have copyright in the constitution of South Sudan. I can enter and sing in the studio now, but before I even reach home, my songs are already on streets. Everywhere, people use Bluetooth and so we are not benefiting from anything,” said the singer.

“We don’t have subscribers who pay us in our accounts so this money just goes for nothing. You will spoil money year after year, but there is nothing we are getting,” he added.

Over the years, South Sudanese musicians, writers and poets have decried the lack of a copyright legislation, calling for its enactment.

Mr. Lengs, who was last week in Torit State for a musical show, urged fellow musicians to desist from taking drugs and focus on their music.

“For those musicians who are just beginning music, my appeal to them is that they should not think that music is drugs,” he stressed.

Last year, the minister for youth, culture and sports, Nadia Arop Dudi said government was working on a bill for the formation of a council that would be tasked to protect the intellectual properties of artists.

“A council will soon be formed by the approval of the cabinet so that it becomes an umbrella. At the same time, we will be able to confirm that we already have a body and give it a policy and laws for protection,” she told the Doha-based Al Jazeera television.