Renewed calls for modern copyright legislation

Last Updated on Saturday, 7 March 2026, 11:25 by Writer

There are fresh calls by the artistic community for the Guyana government to pass modern copyright legislation to clamp down on violators who use rights holders’ works without fair compensation.

‘”The government needs to place some emphasis on this and to take it forward and to make it happen and in place,” veteran Guyanese theatre producer, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento said. 

The calls were issued by her and young Guyanese singer and songwriter Omaiah Hall while participating in a panel discussion on “The Orange Economy: Women, Creativity & Inclusive Economic Power” which formed part of the 2026 International Women’s Day Policy Dialogue & Project Launch organised by Merundoi Inc and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association.

Ms Madhoo-Nascimento said the 1956 British Copyright Act, still on Guyana’s lawbooks, was a “problem” that needed urgent government attention.

With the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) having already reviewed the existing legislation, studied the implications for Guyana and made recommendations to the Guyana government, she appealed to the administration to take action so that rights holders could seek adequate payment for their works.

“A lot of the musicians and a lot of the creative people, their works are being done and used and played on the air and they’re not getting a penny for it. So those things need to be handled and taken care of,” she said.

The People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has tabled a parliamentary motion for debate as part of its plan of action to secure copyright law reform.

Though the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) had promised during last year’s election campaign to enact copyright and intellectual property legislation. Those promises are not part of the government’s latest legislative agenda.

Almost two years ago, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall had said Guyana preferred to await the drafting of a model Caribbean Community (CARICOM) copyright and intellectual property bill.

Ms Hall, who is a radio presenter, said while she was on air when an advertisement that contained her music was played on air, something that reinforced the point that she should have been paid for her works.

She said she had been raising the issue of copyright protection with government ministers.

Ms Hall said weak protection of works was stifling production. “This is a conversation I brought up with our ministers quite often because, realistically, creatives, the artists don’t want to do anything because we’re not getting paid. Our music is being played on the radio stations quite a bit, especially during the Mash season and you’re not getting anything out of it” she said.

Apparently referring to ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson and Steven Jacobs, she said “we have ministers in sports. We need them to understand the creative industry.”