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Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) and the University of Malawi Friday signed an agreement on photocopying and similar reproduction of copyright material in the university.
Under the agreement, Cosoma has granted the university a licence to reproduce protected material from Malawian and foreign publications whose authors and publishers are represented by Cosoma.
The agreement applies to reproduction of protected material from publications carried out for use in the operations of educational institutions, including reproductions made for use in teaching, research and administration, as well as reproductions made in connection with the institutions’ educational programmes.
It was signed by Cosoma executive director Serman Chavula and university registrar Okomaatani Malunga at the University Office in Zomba.
Chavula said Cosoma collects loyalties for its members as one way of “promoting creativity and economically empowering them”.
He thanked the university for indicating commitment to supporting authors in the country.
Malunga said the signing of the agreement is a “milestone in our relationship” in that each one of them now knows the other’s responsibility better than before.
“Let’s work together and ensure that our generators of information do not get a raw deal,” he said.
The licence granted covers only reproduction onto paper, transparencies and slides. The agreement covers the period between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2006.
For 2003 to 2004, the university is expected to pay K1.43 million as a total from the five constituent colleges of Bunda, Chancellor, College of Medicine, Kamuzu College of Nursing and the Polytechnic as well as the university’s central office.
Similar agreements have already been signed with College of Accountancy (March 8, 2004) and Mzuzu University (December last year). Cosoma has finalised discussions with University of Livingstonia and is still discussing with Ministry of Education and central government.
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