APNU to table motion for modern copyright legislation

Last Updated on Saturday, 17 January 2026, 0:16 by Writer

The opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday said it would be tabling a motion, demanding that government introduces modern intellectual property and copyright legislation within the next six months, according to member of parliament (MP) Nima Flue-Bess.

She told her party’s weekly news conference that she envisages that such legislation should provide for rights holders such as artistes to earn from their works.

First, she said the motion calls for the establishment of a special select committee to review the existing copyright laws and identify specific gaps concerning digital rights and enforcement. APNU also wants consultation with the relevant stakeholders across the creative industry to ensure that their needs are reflected in a new legal framework.

After that is done, Ms Flue-Bess said a draft modern copyright bill should be presented to the 65-seat National Assembly for debate within six months. 

Both the People’s National Congress Reform-led 12-seat APNU and the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) had made such a campaign promise during the 2025 general and regional elections.

Guyana’s copyright legislation is the 1956 British Copyright Act that Guyana inherited from the United Kingdom at the time of independence in 1966. That law provides for rights holders to file private action.

The APNU press conference on Friday heard Ms Flue-Bess stating that “a hardship is witnessed by creatives in Guyana.” “The orange economy is an untapped element of economic growth and this is a direct failure of the ability of the government to prioritize the economic well-being of all segments of our society.”

Ms Flue-Bess said APNU submitted a motion to the parliament to give effect on this untapped economic opportunity “to facilitate the monetization of skills for innovators.”