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Writers Association Raises Concerns Over Reprographic Rights Governance in Zimbabwe<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
By A Correspondent \u2013 The Zimbabwe Writers Association (ZWA) has raised serious concerns over the operations and mandate of the Reprographic Rights Organisation of Zimbabwe (RROZ), questioning its legitimacy as a collective management body representing writers\u2019 interests.<\/p>\n
In a statement, ZWA said it is worried about the way RROZ is currently functioning, arguing that writers remain the primary rights holders in literary works and must be central to any rights administration system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWriters are the primary rights holders in literary works,\u201d the association said. \u201cIt is therefore a matter of principle that no entity claiming to license, collect or administer rights on behalf of writers can do so without clear legitimacy, transparency and demonstrable mandate from writers themselves and their representative bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
ZWA has called on RROZ to publicly clarify the foundation of its authority, including the list of writers whose rights it manages, the terms of representation, and the governance structures guiding its operations.
\u201cThe Zimbabwe Writers Association notes with concern ongoing questions surrounding the operations and mandate of the Reprographic Rights Organisation of Zimbabwe as a collective management organisation purporting to represent writers\u2019 reprographic interests,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n
The association also questioned whether the current model of collective management is sufficiently inclusive and transparent, warning against systems that operate without meaningful participation from rights holders.<\/p>\n
\u201cA collective management organisation handling public-interest intellectual property rights cannot, in our considered view, operate as a private arrangement conceived without full consultation and meaningful participation of rights holders,\u201d ZWA said. \u201cCollective management must be built on trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
ZWA further raised concerns about accountability in royalty collection and distribution, noting that trust in the sector has historically been fragile and must be earned through transparency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also unresolved practical questions around the scope of collections being pursued,\u201d the association added. \u201cClarity is required as to whom such collections represent, how rights ownership is determined, whether rights holders are recognised, and by what mechanism revenues are being distributed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The writers\u2019 body concluded that while it is not opposed to reprographic rights management in principle, current governance gaps must be addressed before any organisation is allowed to collect royalties on behalf of writers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur position is not opposition to reprographic rights management,\u201d ZWA said. \u201cOn the contrary, Zimbabwe needs an effective, credible and inclusive system to protect authors and support fair remuneration. But such a system must be built with writers, not around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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