This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, the Kenya Copyright Board has taken a bold step to combat the proliferation of fake news on social media.
On May 2, 2020, Executive Director Edward Sigei announced a list of offences associated with copyright, which includes the sale of manipulated newspapers on social media.
According to Sigei, anyone who offers to sell work that is copyrighted and which is not coming from the copyright holder commits an offence.
He also stated that anyone who tries to circumvent technical protection measures that are placed on digital platforms commits an offence.
It is sad that some people want to benefit from this pandemic by selling people newspapers that are manipulated for fake headlines, Sigei said.
The board has received complaints from a number of media houses, and the information will help them track four individuals who are thought to be responsible.
Under the Amended Copyright Acts 2001, the suspects would have to pay a fine five times the market product of each shared copyrighted product or Ksh 1,000 for each infringing product.
They could also face up to 10 years in prison.
Further, if one is noted to be a repeat offender, they could face up to 10 times the market value of the copyright product shared or Ksh 2000 for each infringing copy.
Alternatively, the guilty could face a jail term of 20 years.
