This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, the Pubs Entertainment and Restaurants Association (Perak) and the Kenya Association of Hotel-keepers and Caterers (KAHC) issued a joint statement urging their members to defy new copyright tariffs imposed by the Performers Rights Society (Prisk) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (Kamp).
The two associations accused Prisk and Kamp of harassment and intimidation, claiming that entertainment establishments were being charged 50% of gazetted copyright tariffs despite their objections.
Perak and KAHC instructed their members not to pay any money and instead take pictures of raids and share the details with the associations.
They also announced plans to take legal action, stating, "We have instructed our legal counsel to appear on behalf of all our members as we move to court."
The dispute stems from a 2017 agreement between pub and hotel operators and music producers, which required establishments to pay music royalties based on liquor and single business permit fees.
Under the new tariffs, each outlet was to peg the Music Licence fee on 30% of liquor licence fee or 20% of the Single Business Permit (SBP), whichever is higher.
