IN CONVERSATION WITH CHOLA MAKGAMATHE ( THE CHAIRPERSON OF BOTH THE COPYRIGHT COALITION OF SOUTH AFRICA AND PAN AFRICAN)
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Partners Against Piracy (PAP), a pan-African coalition of broadcasters, creatives, governments, and legal experts, led a focused industry discussion on the devastating impact of piracy on Africa’s creative economy during MIP Africa’s FAME Week.
Under the theme “Unmasking piracy’s devastating impact and how the industry is revolutionising this fight for a sustainable future,” the session highlighted how piracy undermines investment in local content, erodes jobs across the value chain, and exposes consumers to cyber risks. Industry experts also shared the latest coordinated responses, including technology-driven blocking measures and law enforcement operations that have successfully disrupted illegal IPTV and streaming networks across the region.
“Piracy is not a victimless crime,” said Chola Makgamathe, Chairperson of both the Copyright Coalition of South Africa and PAP. “Every illegal download or stream takes away from the livelihood of artists, technicians, producers, and the entire creative value chain. Protecting creativity means protecting culture, expression, and the future of our industries.”
The discussion underscored several key points:
Collective Action Matters: PAP represents a united industry front against content theft, combining the expertise of broadcasters, creatives, governments, and legal professionals to safeguard intellectual property across Africa.
Consumer Education is Critical: Many consumers unknowingly support piracy. PAP is investing in public awareness campaigns to help the public recognise and reject illegal content, highlighting the legal and economic consequences of piracy.
Empowering African Creatives: The coalition is committed to equipping creators with the tools, knowledge, and legal avenues to protect their work.
Government Support is Essential: PAP calls on legislators and regulators to strengthen enforcement and close legal loopholes to hold offenders accountable.
Stakeholder Advocacy: Creators, intermediaries, and industry stakeholders are urged to speak out and contribute to stronger anti-piracy policies.
The session at FAME Week emphasized that fighting piracy requires a combination of technology, education, legal action, and collaboration across the continent to ensure a sustainable future for Africa’s creative industries.
Under the theme “Unmasking piracy’s devastating impact and how the industry is revolutionising this fight for a sustainable future,” the session highlighted how piracy undermines investment in local content, erodes jobs across the value chain, and exposes consumers to cyber risks. Industry experts also shared the latest coordinated responses, including technology-driven blocking measures and law enforcement operations that have successfully disrupted illegal IPTV and streaming networks across the region.
“Piracy is not a victimless crime,” said Chola Makgamathe, Chairperson of both the Copyright Coalition of South Africa and PAP. “Every illegal download or stream takes away from the livelihood of artists, technicians, producers, and the entire creative value chain. Protecting creativity means protecting culture, expression, and the future of our industries.”
The discussion underscored several key points:
Collective Action Matters: PAP represents a united industry front against content theft, combining the expertise of broadcasters, creatives, governments, and legal professionals to safeguard intellectual property across Africa.
Consumer Education is Critical: Many consumers unknowingly support piracy. PAP is investing in public awareness campaigns to help the public recognise and reject illegal content, highlighting the legal and economic consequences of piracy.
Empowering African Creatives: The coalition is committed to equipping creators with the tools, knowledge, and legal avenues to protect their work.
Government Support is Essential: PAP calls on legislators and regulators to strengthen enforcement and close legal loopholes to hold offenders accountable.
Stakeholder Advocacy: Creators, intermediaries, and industry stakeholders are urged to speak out and contribute to stronger anti-piracy policies.
The session at FAME Week emphasized that fighting piracy requires a combination of technology, education, legal action, and collaboration across the continent to ensure a sustainable future for Africa’s creative industries.
