Media release – Consultations on Copyright Bill to 14 Regions
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P O Box 185
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel +264 61 2994400 E-mail:
info@bipa.na
Website: www.bipa.na
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MEDIA STATEMENT
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3 March 2021
BIPA EXTEND CONSULTATIONS ON COPYRIGHT BILL TO 14 REGIONS
Windhoek, NAMIBIA - The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), together with its stakeholders,
are currently in the process of reviewing the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection, 1994 (Act No. 6
of 1994). The revision of this act affects all musicians, authors, artists, developers and originators of creative
works; and is aimed at updating and modernising copyright protection in Namibia. Partnering with BIPA is
the Ministry of Education, Arts & Culture, UNESCO and the IPLC.
The review process started in 2019 when BIPA engaged with affected stakeholders on different platforms.
BIPA will now offer stakeholders in the regions the opportunity to provide further input into the working
document for the development of the new Copyright Legal Framework in Namibia. This will be done by a
team of specialists visiting all 14 regions and consulting the various constituencies and affected stakeholder
to ensure that sufficient input has been received, ultimately making the draft bill one that has been widely
consulted on. Consultations will take place throughout March month, with Gobabis and Windhoek being
targeted on 5 and 6 March 2021 respectively. The team will also visit Swakopmund on Monday, 8 March
2021 after which the other regions will have their turn.
“Extensive stakeholder engagement is critical, especially with reference to the review and subsequent
amendment of a law. We implore all Namibians to join BIPA on this consultative process and bring along your
creative and innovative thoughts and ideas,” noted Ockert Jansen, Executive for Marketing and Corporate
Communications at BIPA.
In addition to the copyright law, BIPA is also in the process of reviewing the Companies Act, 2004 (Act No.
28 of 2004) as well as the Close Corporations Act, 1988 (Act No. 26 of 1988). The aim is to make the laws
more responsive to the existing business and innovation environment to ensure that Namibia reaches its
objective of improving business, attracting foreign and domestic investment and thereby spurring economic
growth and prosperity.
Public Enterprise established under the BIPA Act, 2016 (Act No. 8 of 2016)
The Working Document on the new Copyright Legal Framework is available for download from the BIPA
website (https://www.bipa.na/legal-documents/); while copies can also be collected from all regional council
offices countrywide.
Comments and input should be emailed to ip@bipa.na by 31 March 2021. For further enquiries on the
Working Document, kindly contact Kuume Nghipandulwa at 061-299 4438 or 081 143 6665.
Issued by:
Ockert B. Jansen, CPRP
Executive: Marketing, Corporate Communications and Client Management Services
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA)
Tel: +264 61-299 4000
Email: janseno@bipa.na
Enquiries:
Annemarie Schullenbach
Manager: Marketing and Communications
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA)
Tel: +264 61-299 4450
Email: annemarie@bipa.na
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BIPA, PLEASE VISIT: www.bipa.na
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