The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) Aina Kaunda says it is reviewing the current intellectual property legislation to address issues of digital piracy that the creative industry faces. 

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of BIPA says that the revised law will introduce a copyright levy that will enable those in the art and creative industry to derive a meaningful income. 

As it stands, Namibia's creative industry contributes about 3.4% to the GDP and employs about 3.8% of the workforce. 

However, the country's music creators continue to face significant challenges, making it difficult for them to participate on a global stage.

At the World Intellectual Property Day, it was revealed by speakers that while music is in high demand, musicians remain underpaid because royalties collected are shared between them and international musicians, as business establishments and radio stations play more foreign music."

The problem of digital piracy and AI streaming platforms, which the public now frequently uses, presents another challenge. 

But all hope is not lost for those in the creative industry, as BIPA seeks to introduce a copyright levy, which will be enforced on the importation of digital gadgets, as part of its IP legislation.

The Ministry of Industries, Mines, and Energy is also in the process of reviewing its Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act to address the issue of digital piracy.

The ministry will further introduce provisions for digital licensing and modernise collective rights management to ensure that musicians and artists are remunerated for their work. The Cabinet committee on legislation is reportedly handling this Copyright Bill. 

In addition, Namibia is in the process of ratifying several World Intellectual Property Organisation treaties that will broaden the protection and expand the earning potential of Namibian artists on a global stage.