The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM) has announced the deployment of licensing field officers to different regions to strengthen its presence beyond Windhoek, improve engagement with music users and rights holders, and promote better compliance with music licensing requirements.  

NASCAM is mandated to protect the intellectual property rights of music creators under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act of 1994. 

The acting CEO of NASCAM is Ferdinand Gertze.

"Any person or institution that performs, plays or broadcasts copyrighted music in public spaces is required to obtain a valid music licence; failure to obtain the required licence constitutes infringement of the act which protects the economic rights of composers and authors to receive fair remuneration for the use of their creative works."

Gertze says the NASCAM board resolved to increase regional representation by recruiting and deploying licensing field officers to all regions.

They will identify music users, conducting inspections, educating users about licensing requirements, and facilitating enforcement and compliance.

Music users cover a wide range of spaces, including hotels, restaurants, shops, live performances, events, schools, gyms, nightclubs and broadcasters.  

"I therefore urge all music users to cooperate with the licensing field inspectors to ensure that they obtain and maintain the appropriate NASCAM music user licence. Get your music user licence; it's the right thing to do, and it supports creators whose music enriches our lives and our economies."

NASCAM currently operates only from its head office in |Khomas.
The expanded presence is expected to increase licence collections and the royalties distributed to music creators and rights holders.