Ghana’s Copyright Office has issued a stern warning to television broadcasters engaged in unauthorized use of creative content, vowing to clamp down on piracy with intensified legal action.
In a strongly worded statement released by the National Anti-Piracy Committee and signed by Principal State Attorney William Bonsu, the office expressed alarm over a growing pattern of copyright violations by local TV stations. These stations, the Committee said, have been illegally downloading and airing protected content, including films, TV series, documentaries, and sports programming without proper licensing from rights holders.
“This practice constitutes a serious offense under the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), as amended,” the Committee stated. It added that such violations could attract “stiff penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.”
Beyond the legal breaches, the Committee emphasized the wider economic harm caused by such piracy. Unauthorized broadcasting, it said, undermines the livelihoods of content creators and violates both Ghanaian law and international copyright treaties.
To curb this trend, the Committee outlined urgent steps broadcasters must take to avoid penalties:
Immediately cease the airing of any unlicensed material
Obtain appropriate licenses or permissions from copyright owners or their representatives
Maintain clear and auditable records of all licensing agreements
The Copyright Office also revealed that it has intensified surveillance efforts, working alongside law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders.
“The Copyright Office urges all broadcasters to respect intellectual property rights and support the growth of Ghana’s creative economy by adhering to the law,” the statement read. “By doing so, they can help promote a vibrant and sustainable creative industry that benefits all stakeholders.”
Read the statement below.
