The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2001 sponsored by Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga has sailed through its second reading in Parliament.

The legislators unanimously passed the Bill now waiting for its final reading in the following week.

The Bill seeks to have artistes and creatives in the country get 52 per cent of all the revenue collected from ringback tones from the current 16 per cent.

The Bill also seeks to bar Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from removing content perceived to have infringed on copyright regulations.

Currently, ISP can remove any content deemed to have infringed on copyright regulations unless a notice opposing the removal of such content is presented to them.

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Apart from that, the bill also proposes that ISPs be barred from disclosing the private information of subscribers believed to be infringing on copyrighted content.

The Bill will consequently see the establishment of an online national portal for registration of copyright works from which artists will receive proceeds from any entities who will sample their work.

Wanga noted that the Bill will revolutionise the country’s creative industry and provide a level playing field for artistes by guaranteeing they earn more from their work should the Bill be enacted into law.