Copyrights in Kenya

Protecting your work is most important to a creator.  We recently went through this process as we start on actual publishing of real books.  It’s both nerve-wrecking and enlightening.  Nerve-wrecking in the discovery of limitations: like costs and printing drama, and enlightening in that with every book printed, you discover mistakes and tell yourself, I’m going to get that fixed in the next print.  It’s been an interesting time.

So, for copyrights, I thought I should share this process with you.  It’s not so hard, you can do it too.

Firstly, you need to have your work fully completed, and ready to go.

The process below is the original method of copyright registration.  You may also visit the Kenya Copyright Board offices for any questions if you registered your rights using this method.

1. Get a registration form from the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO).  You can either visit their offices or download the form from their site.  Here is the link to that →Copyright Registration Forms You no longer need these forms.  You simply need to Register an Account on this Kenya Copyrights Board Portal.
2. Fill out your information.  To be noted, don’t copyright someone else’s work if you do not have the permissions from the original author (owner of the work).  This is very uncool.  Just don’t do it.  Respect the original author/creator, alright.  Of course, if you are copyrighting your own work, write your name with no mistakes. ^_^  You wanna have bragging rights when you get that certification.  If you don’t understand the site, email or visit the Kenya Copyright board offices and they are very happy to explain them to you.
3. Take your completed forms to a lawyer.  The wording is “Get the forms commissioned by a commissioner of oaths.’ A lawyer will help you with that.

The processes below have been updated, please refer to this post for more information. or visit nrr.copyright.go.ke

1. Attach two original copies of the work to be copyrighted – they prefer it in CD or DVD form. (Yep, that’s right. That means you will have 2 CDs/DVDs. Save it on a CD/DVD and label it.)  
2. Deposit a non-refundable fee of Kshs. 1,000 in the Kenya Copyright Board bank account.  The form you get gives you their banking details.  They insist on the fee being paid in the bank direct, don’t use bank agents. (Confirm this fee when you get your forms)
3. Take the bank deposit slip with you to the Kenya Copyright Board offices, and they will issue a receipt.
4. Certification is issued within five (5) working days from the day of registration. In case there is an exception, they will let you know right away.

And that’s that.

Simple, right?

No more excuses saying you can’t copyright your amazing creativity.

Do you have an ISBN? Here is the procedure in case you want one.

The Kenya Copyright Board offices are here: 5th Floor, NHIF Building, Ragati Road.

Visit their website to learn more.