The fight against piracy has been a long fight and yet nothing has changed. Fijian musician Seru Serevi made the comment as he called for an urgent review of copyright law on behalf of the Fiji Performing Rights Association (FPRA) recently.
The call is included in FPRA‘s submission to the Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence which set on June 22.
In their submission FPRA called on government to tighten up on anti-piracy provisions given its negative impacts on the economy, incorporate internet treaties from the World Intellectual Property Organisation, enact the ‘Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture’ (TKEC) bill, and put in place appropriate legislation to protect the national song ‘Isa lei’.
FPRA Board Chairman Eremasi Tamanisau said most Fijian songs are on the internet without authorisation.
Photo: Ana Civavonovono
FPRA believes an urgent review of copyright law would ensure Fiji was alligned to international treaties it was party to.
“We are pleading to the government to review the copyright act to incorporate the internet treaties from the World Intellectual Property Organisation,” Tamanisau said.
“To be able to benefit fully we need to have our own copyright act administering power over the internet. The success of the submission would mean a lot to the association.”
Abuse of the TKEC has meant loss of revenue for both traditional knowledge owners and the government.
According to Tamanisau, an investigation by the Fiji Intellectual Property Office in 2017 found pirate operators were making at least $30 million.
He reiterated the need to revamp the Fiji Intellectual Property Office to protect these rights and the police department to effectively enforce of the Act.
The Copyright Act 1999 came into effect on July 1, 2000.
