Copyright Legislation on parliamentary agenda

In an effort to protect local entertainers from infringement within the music industry, the government is mulling to have Copyright legislation passed in Parliament in the near future.
This is according to Minister of Tourism and Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes, who informed that Copyright legislation is on the current parliamentary agenda for discussion.
The minister said the government is not oblivious of the concerns of local performers in relation to their work being protected and therefore it is their duty to have the legislation laid in Parliament.
Over the years, local musicians had lamented that being a performer in Guyana is somewhat of a risky business, since persons have the constant fear of having their work copyrighted.
The delay in passing the legislation had also captured international concern, as the United States had criticised the absence of the legislation sometime late last year.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications along with government is making it possible for musicians to apply for a waiver under the criteria that the performers are Guyanese and their piece coincides with the country’s culture and music.
Hughes said once the entertainers applying for the waiver fits the requirements, the ministry is more than willing to grant them it.
This would increase the chances of musicians actually being able to reap expansive benefits when they hold shows in Guyana.
Most importantly, the minister pointed out that entertainers would stand a better chance of increasing the finances gained from their performance to foster their development.
It means when you look at the bottom line it makes it a little more profitable for performers to be able to hold shows and be able to cover their costs and more importantly to put aside something from those performances that can lead to the development of that specific art from.
With the consideration of Guyana’s entertainment industry and the aim to have it thrive on both a local and international map, government had recently cut back on entertainment taxes.
This was announced in this year’s National Budget, where the ministry of finance had announced a reduction of entertainment taxes for musicians and entertainers who are required to pay when performing in Guyana.
Hughes said there are just some incentives by government to protect and promote the growth of its entertainers, even as Guyana progresses as an independent nation.