The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit comments on the proposed copyright bill to March 31, 2026, following widespread criticism and calls for more time. The agency announced the move on Facebook with a five-word caption, saying “You requested and we heard.”
Industry players, including musicians, writers, and publishers, had argued that the initial deadline of January 31, 2026, was insufficient to review the 100-page draft bill. Stakeholders, including Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) the Zambia Music Copyright Protection Society (ZAMCOPS) and the Zambia Reprographic Rights Society (ZARRSO), echoed these concerns.
However, concerns persist about PACRA’s commitment to considering stakeholder submissions, given that previous input from CMOs was ignored, leading to the resurfacing of a draft bill rejected four years ago. The proposed bill has been criticized for its lack of transparency and proposal for a government-run CMO, which stakeholders warn could undermine copyright owners’ rights and stifle creativity.
Prominent Zambian artists, including Miko Zulu, Bflow, Mwembe Muntu, Danny Peddle, and Sister D, have joined calls for the bill’s withdrawal, citing its potential to harm the creative industry. They expressed outrage over the bill, stating that it strips industry players of their fundamental protections and hands their livelihoods to bureaucrats.
Renowned writer and author Ingrid Nayame, known for her books “The Coloured Vine” and “Hills and Wildflowers”, also joined the chorus of concerns over the copyright draft bill. In a Facebook post, Nayame expressed concerns about PACRA’s intentions to take over copyright from creators, saying the agency wants to be the “player, referee, spectator, and goalkeeper” when it comes to their works.
Renowned poet and author Anna Zgambo, known for her poetry collections “Read Prose Poetry” and “Peruse Every Poem”, has welcomed the extension, saying it will give industry players the opportunity to read and understand the bill.
“I encourage authors, artists, and copyright owners to read the copyright bill, understand the contentious articles, identify other gaps, and make suggestions,” she said.
Zgambo, a member of ZARRSO, had last month called on industry players to oppose the proposed copyright bill, stating that the timeframe itself was extremely short notice and that the bill in its current form would stifle innovation and exploit creators, citing its potential to allow the reproduction of copyrighted materials without permission.
Contentious articles raised by industry players include those pertaining to copyright registration, economic rights, exceptions and limitations, rights management, and the Minister’s role, as well as the definition of an artist.
One thing remains to be seen: will PACRA heed the concerns being raised, or will the four-year history repeat itself with a rejected draft being presented as the final draft? Time will tell.
