Kigali, 26th November, 2019: RDB (the Rwanda Development Board) today organized a panel discussion on Intellectual Property and Financing for people employed in the audiovisual sector.

The event was a prelude to the second Kigali Audio-Visual Forum that starts tomorrow, 27th November to Thursday, 28th November 2019 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

The workshop today sought to discuss copyright challenges of artists in the audiovisual sector.

In her opening remarks, RDB Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi noted that the creative industry is among the major contributors of the economy and plays a critical role in the creation of jobs.

“On average, this sector represents 10% of the GDP in countries such as the US and South Africa. This is why we organize forums like the Kigali Audio-Visual Forum so that we can share with you what Rwanda is doing in developing IP infrastructure, building capacity of the staff in the bar association, judiciary, research institutions to create a conducive environment for the industry,” she said.

Akamanzi said RDB is creating a US$ 30 million Innovation Fund with the African Development Bank, a Rwanda Film Office to attract film production activities and development of audiovisual startups in Rwanda and the development of Kigali Cultural Village as a market for Rwandan culture.

RDB has also supported the establishment of an ICT innovation centre in Kicukiro to enhance Multimedia and related mobile application startups.

Explaining Intellectual Property rights of users, the RDB Registrar General, Richard Kayibanda said that there have been efforts to raise awareness in the private sector on the copyright law to reduce unfair use of people’s creative works.

“This drive has led to an increase in registration of audiovisual works as intellectual property from 45 in 2009 to 238 films and 757 scripts in 2019,” he explained.

Patrick Nyirishema, the Director-General of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority said;

“We are reviewing the current copyright laws to spur further development of the creative arts scene.

Richard Iyaremye from the Economic and Financial Crime Division at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau said;

“Much as we are building capacities at all levels of prosecution to handle cases on infringement of copyrights, people should learn more of their rights and push to earn from their work.”

ENDS

Please find pictures of the panel discussion here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1CUBSc6DEslhTERujdskJB68SQESSSYLT