MultiChoice Namibia Launches “Partners Against Piracy” Initiative
MultiChoice Namibia in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and the Namibia Film Commission (NFC), unveiled a new initiative aimed at combating content piracy across Africa.
Dubbed “Partners Against Piracy” (PAP), the initiative seeks to address one of the most pressing issues in the creative sector—content piracy. The launch event, held in Namibia, underscored the detrimental economic impact of piracy on the creative economy, affecting not only creators but the broader ecosystem that supports them.
Claudia Capelao, Manager of MSME Ecosystem Optimization at NIPDB, emphasized the significance of stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to tackle piracy effectively. She highlighted that piracy not only undermines economic incentives for creativity but also jeopardizes cultural heritage and future growth prospects.
The event featured a panel discussion with experts including Yolanda Kalenga from the Office of the Attorney-General, Ainna Kaundu from BIPA, Wycliffe Kauuova, Piracy Officer at MultiChoice Namibia, Efraim Vilho, Community Manager at CCHub, and Hertha Katjivena from the Namibia Film Commission.
They discussed the legal framework against piracy, the need for comprehensive data on piracy in Namibia, and successful anti-piracy initiatives previously undertaken by MultiChoice Namibia.
Ainna Kaundu of BIPA emphasized that piracy should be viewed globally as a serious crime, not just unauthorized content distribution. She stressed the importance of ethical consumption of content to sustain the creative industry and support livelihoods dependent on it.
Efraim Vilho from CCHub warned against the threats posed by piracy to startups and the market competitiveness of intellectual property, urging ethical practices in content consumption.
In his closing remarks, Roger Gertze, Managing Director of MultiChoice Namibia, expressed gratitude to all partners for their collaboration and insights. He reaffirmed MultiChoice Namibia’s commitment to combating piracy, highlighting its detrimental effects on the content production value chain and the company’s role as a leader in the industry.
Gertze also announced MultiChoice Namibia’s involvement as the official broadcast partner for EURO 2024, underscoring their dedication to promoting global sportsmanship through legitimate content distribution.
Source: TechAfrica News
