IN a bid to promote local artists’ welfare, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DNM Attorneys, Moses Khomo, co-founder and senior partner of Donsa.
The agreement was made yesterday at a briefing held at the NACZ head office.
The partnership seeks to safeguard the intellectual property rights of artists and ensure that their creativity is not only celebrated, but also legally protected and monetised.
NACZ director Napoleon Nyanhi said: “Artists are the lifeblood of our culture and economy yet many struggle with exploitation, piracy and the lack of legal recourse. When their work is stolen or misused, this MOU represents a bold step forward addressing these challenges and providing as has been committed by our partners.”
The attorneys, Nyanhi said, will be providing free legal representation to artists on all intellectual property issues, education on copyright trademarks and contracts.
Nyanhi said artists deserved to profit from their own work, but they had been victims of piracy and unfair contracts, and this was robbing them of their livelihood.
“IP issues are also important in the preservation of our culture. Protecting intellectual property ensures that Zimbabwean art, be it music, stories, film, books that are written, even art pieces in terms of visual art, are protected and we are able to remain or to retain their authenticity.”
He added that a secure legal environment attracts investment and fostering.
“We are honoured to partner with DNM Attorneys, a firm with a proven track record in IP law. Their pro bono services will be a game changer for the artists who previously had no access to legal support.
“To our artists, your work has value. Protect it. Register with the institutions that will protect your intellectual property. Seek legal advice before signing contracts,” he said.
The DNM attorney, Moses Nkomo, co-founder and senior partner of Donsa said they decided to partner the NACZ to transform the arts sector into a viable, significant, economically contributing sector through capacity building, through legal support, through policy and legislative interventions.
DMN attorneys said through legal support policy and legislative interventions, the intellectual property rights were private rights and they wanted to educate the artists on what the law can do for them so that they take ownership of the agenda for law reform to enhance the protection of their rights.
