This archive report was first published on 23 August 2021.
On August 23, 2021, the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) raised concerns over Cadbury's 'In Our Own Words' campaign, which allegedly exploits authors by taking away their intellectual property rights.
The campaign, aimed at promoting book reading among children, requires authors to submit original Kenyan tales, but in return, they would forfeit their rights to be recognized as the author and receive only a thank you note.
KECOBO deemed this arrangement 'unethical and degrading' and has written to Cadbury to reconsider the terms or withdraw the campaign entirely.
According to Article 40 of the Constitution, authors have the right to property, including intellectual property, which includes both economic and moral rights.
KECOBO emphasized that moral rights, in particular, are not transferable under any circumstances, as stated in Section 32 of the Copyright Act.
