Gambia moves to ratify WIPO treaty protecting musicians
The National Assembly is considering a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty to safeguard artists' digital rights and earnings from piracy.
The Gambia is moving to strengthen protections for musicians and record producers against online piracy by ratifying the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performance and Phonograms Treaty. Attorney General Dawda A. Jallow presented the motion to the National Assembly, explaining that the treaty, adopted in 1996, aims to protect artists as music consumption shifts to digital platforms like streaming and social media.
Jallow told lawmakers that while Gambian musicians reach global audiences digitally, their work is vulnerable to unauthorized copying and sharing, leading to no financial return. He stated that piracy deprives the state of revenue and discourages investment in creative industries. Ratification would enable Gambian collecting societies to gather royalties from digital uses and update the Copyright Act of 2004.
Lawmakers supported the motion, with one member highlighting the increasing importance of protecting creative work due to artificial intelligence advancements. The treaty would grant performers and producers rights over recorded performances and online use, ensuring they are rewarded for their efforts and protecting their reputations from harmful alterations.
Why it mattersGambian musicians and record producers will benefit from stronger protections against online piracy, ensuring they receive financial returns for their digital work.