ZIMURA Defends Cover Band Tariffs

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association has defended its decision to impose a US$150 licensing fee on cover bands, insisting the move is necessary to protect composers' intellectual property and ensure they receive fair compensation.

In a statement, ZIMURA dismissed claims that the fee is excessive, stating that it was determined after extensive research on regional and international copyright tariffs.

“The assertion that the US$150 per show license fee is excessive is ill-informed and unfortunate,” said ZIMURA board member and Director of Information, Media, and Publicity, Alexio Gwenzi. “We studied tariffs in South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, the UK, and the USA before arriving at this figure, while also considering Zimbabwe’s economic factors.”

The organization clarified that concerns over the tariffs were being raised by music users, not copyright holders.

“It is crucial to note that those raising complaints are our clients, not the composers themselves,” ZIMURA stated. “Our mandate is to protect intellectual property rights and ensure musicians—including widows and orphans of legendary artists like Leonard Dembo, Marshall Munhumumwe, and Oliver Mtukudzi—receive what is due to them.”

ZIMURA explained that cover bands performing more than 90% of other artists’ songs must obtain a Copyright Music License, while those primarily playing original compositions with only a few covers are exempt.

“For bands earning as little as US$100 per show, we suggest they increase their fees to include the US$150 composers’ fee,” said Gwenzi. “Musicians should also establish stronger unions to negotiate fair performance fees.”

The association warned that failure to comply with the licensing requirements would result in legal action against both artists and venue owners.

“ZIMURA remains open to constructive dialogue, but the commercial use of our members’ work must attract fair compensation,” the organization stated.