High Court blocks KECOBO from releasing money from Blank Tape Levy

The High Court has barred the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) from releasing funds collected under the Blank Tape Levy.

Blank Tape Levy is a nominal fee imposed on the sale of blank media and devices such as CDs, DVDs, USB drives, and smartphones, which can be used to make personal copies of copyrighted content.

KECOBO had announced that it will commence the implementation of the Blank Tape Levy with effect from September 15.

However, the court has stopped the process pending a case filed in court by Reuben Kigame, Celestine Mbogo and Stanley Ahoya.

“Prayer 2 of the Notice of Motion being an order temporarily restraining the Respondents by themselves or their agents from releasing funds collected under Section 30 B of the Copyright Act (commonly known as the Blank Tape/Media Levy) to the interested parties for distribution of the said blank tape/media levy to any person is hereby granted pending the hearing of this application inter-partes,” reads court papers.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi further directed that the application and the petition be served within seven days and responses be filed and served within seven days from the date of service.

“The Petitioner/Applicant may file and serve any further documentation/ rejoinder, if need be, within 7 days from the date of receipt of responses,” the court directed.

The matter will be mentioned on October 16.