This is a guide on how to register a copyright in Kenya. The Kenya Copyright Board is the statutory body mandated with the overall administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights.
Copyright registration in Kenya is voluntary. Non-registration does not deny authors any rights under the Copyright Act.
The Kenya Copyright Board registers literary, musical or artistic works, audio-visual works, sound recordings and broadcasts.
Ownership of Copyright
The first owner of a copyright work vests in the person who creates it. Like any other moveable property, copyright can be transferred through sale, licenses and testamentary disposition.
Under the Copyright Law;
- In the case of 2 authors, the 2 shall be known as the joint authors of the work.
- In the case of works created for hire or under a contract of employment, unless otherwise stated in a contract, the employer is the person who commissioned the work and shall be the owner of the work.
- In the case of a film, the principal director and the film producer are joint authors and the first owners of the copyright.
- In the case of a sound recording, the author and first owner of the copyright is the record producer, in the case of a broadcast, the broadcaster and in the case of a published edition, the publisher.
- Copyright in materials produced by a government department belongs to the government.
How To A Register Copyright In Kenya
1. Go to https://nrr.copyright.go.ke/ using your desktop computer, laptop or smartphone.
2. Create an account and then upload your work. You can either create an individual account or a corporate account.
3. Receive a validation code.
4. Enter the code and complete the account creation process.
5. Log in and proceed with the registration.
6. Once the registration is successful, you will receive a certificate of registration within 5-7 working days.
Kenya Copyright Board Contacts
Location: 5th Floor, NHIF Building, Community Ragati Road/ Ngong Road, Nairobi.
Contacts: 0713 761 758/ 020 253 3869.
