Copyright Office has issued a stern warning to television stations across the country: stop airing pirated content or face prosecution.
In a statement released on June 11, the Office’s National Anti-Piracy Committee said it had uncovered several broadcasters illegally airing movies, TV shows, sports content, and creative works downloaded from streaming platforms without proper licensing.
“This practice is criminal and constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), as amended,” the statement said.
The Office noted that such actions violate both local and international laws, deprive content creators of rightful earnings, and harm Ghana’s creative industry.
To curb the practice, TV stations have been directed to:
- Immediately stop airing unauthorized content
- Obtain proper licenses from content owners or agencies
- Keep accurate records of all content acquisition agreements
The Office also announced plans to increase enforcement and surveillance, working closely with law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders.
“We urge all broadcasters to respect intellectual property and help grow Ghana’s creative economy by following the law,” the statement added.
This warning follows growing concerns from stakeholders in the entertainment industry about ongoing copyright abuse by media houses nationwide.
