Established by artists for artists: COSBOTS is passionate about transforming the creative landscape for all artists through the use of innovative products and services. COSBOTS is a collective management organization incorporated in 2008, with a mandate borne out of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act CAP 68:02 to among other things, collect royalties from users of copyright protected works to distribute to copyright owners.
We start off by thanking the editor of the Botswana Gazette for giving us space in the newspaper which we intend to use as a forum for information sharing and as a conduit through which COSBOTS will be providing the reader with edutainment relating to the business of COSBOTS. The column shall feature every fortnight and is intended for the broader edification of all our stakeholders and the public at large.
This being our first publication, we take this opportunity to thank all the Creators/Authors of original literary and artistic works, for providing us “mere mortals” with a window to see things differently, to visualize the world through a creator’s mind. Sometimes we may not necessarily understand the creators’ language, but sharing their ideas and emotions through their prophetic work has helped us to accommodate, tolerate, and understand different cultures. The arts enable us to learn that culture can be manifested in many different things: it can mean the language one speaks, food we eat, clothing on our backs, religion, and a myriad of other things. Creativity has taught us to cherish the aspect of culture that inspires us to appreciate and love the arts without reservation.
Our sincere gratitude should also be extended to the entire spectrum of industry players, associations, DJs, in fact all Users. These proponents of the arts have undoubtedly elevated to great heights most of the prominent artists we celebrate today. Most, if not all of these associations, started from very humble beginnings, but have overtime helped shape the industry into what we see it as is today. This is notwithstanding the numerous hurdles the industry has had to endure. The proverbial stars of the aforementioned industry players continue to shine bright as they bring us such converted events such as the NAA (Northern Arts Awards), BOMU awards, TAYA, and many more that are dotted across the arts calendar.
Coming closer to home; one wishes that all artists and creators alike would heed the clarion call of His Hon. The Assistant Minister Dikgang Makgalemele, in his keynote address at the last BOMU awards, requesting creators to register their works with COSBOTS for them to reap the fruits of their hard labour. COSBOTS would like to take cue from the Minister’s words of wisdom to encourage all businesses that use copyrightable works to comply with the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act by acquiring licenses for their exploitation of the fellow Creators’ works.
Gone are the days when the creative industry was but a mere past time, with no consideration for any financial reward whatsoever. Ladies and gentleman, I am sure we can all agree that the creative industry is a meaningful business enterprise capable of putting food on the table for those involved in the industry. In order to help develop careers in the industry we are all duty bound to nurture talent from the very early stage in a talented child’s life.
Pablo Picasso once said ‘every child is an artist – the problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up’
Continue reading this column not only to gain valuable insight into issues of copyright and intellectual property, but also to experience with us, the defining moments of the illustrious individuals that have dedicated their lives to supporting the arts. We will celebrate all that has brought “order out of chaos,” and we invite you to be in unison with us.
The Copyright platform
