For many artists, musicians, photographers and writers, earning royalties remains one of the biggest goals of building a creative career. Yet in Eswatini, no creator has received royalties through the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS), not because the system does not exist, but because many creatives are still outside it.

Speaking during a copyright awareness workshop for media practitioners in Ezulwini, ESWACOS Managing Director Mmeli Hlandze said a lack of awareness continues to prevent creators from protecting their work and benefiting financially from it.

According to Hlandze, many people continue to produce music, books, films, visual art and other creative works without registering them under the Copyright Act. As a result, ESWACOS cannot collect or distribute royalties on their behalf.

"Our biggest challenge is that creatives still lack information about the Copyright Act," he said.

Hlandze explained that royalty collection depends on creators becoming part of the collective management system. Without registration, it becomes almost impossible to monitor the use of creative works or ensure that creators receive payment when their work is performed, broadcast or reproduced.

"We cannot pay royalties for works that are not registered or for creators who are not in the system," he said.

To close that gap, ESWACOS has intensified awareness campaigns targeting creatives, journalists and members of the public. The organisation currently has more than 400 registered members and continues encouraging more artists to join.

Registration is currently free, a decision Hlandze said was made to remove financial barriers that may discourage creators from protecting their work.

He also highlighted partnerships with organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), saying the collaborations are helping strengthen copyright systems in Eswatini through technical support and training.

For a country with a growing creative industry, Hlandze believes understanding copyright is no longer optional. It is becoming an essential part of building sustainable careers where artists can earn income from the work they create.

.....Copyright protects your work, not your ideas

Many people believe that simply coming up with an idea gives them legal ownership over it. According to the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS), that is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding copyright law.

During a copyright awareness workshop for media practitioners, ESWACOS Managing Director Mmeli Hlandze explained that copyright protects the expression of an idea rather than the idea itself.

An idea only becomes eligible for copyright protection once it has been transformed into something tangible, such as a book, song, painting, photograph, screenplay or film.

"The Copyright Act does not protect an idea. It protects the expression of that idea," Hlandze said.

The distinction is particularly important for journalists, photographers and content creators who work with original material every day.

Hlandze reminded media practitioners that although the Copyright Act provides limited exceptions for reporting news and current affairs, those exceptions do not remove the responsibility to properly acknowledge creators whose work is used.

He encouraged journalists to seek permission where necessary and always credit photographers, writers, musicians and other creators whose work appears in news reports.

Respecting copyright, he said, is not simply a legal requirement but also an ethical responsibility that recognises the time, skill and creativity invested in producing original work.

As digital publishing continues to grow, understanding copyright has become increasingly important for both media professionals and the wider public.

Piracy, AI, social media reshape copyright conversation

A song downloaded without permission. A film shared through messaging platforms. An AI-generated image created using someone else's artwork.

These are some of the new copyright challenges emerging as technology continues to change the way creative content is produced and shared.

Speaking during a copyright awareness workshop in Ezulwini, Senior Copyright Officer Nomcebo Mavuso said digital piracy, online infringement and artificial intelligence are creating new challenges for creators across the world, including in Eswatini.

While technology has made creative work more accessible, it has also made it easier for people to reproduce and distribute content without permission.

"Technology has made access to information easier, but it has also increased the risk of creative works being used illegally," Mavuso said.

She explained that piracy extends beyond music and movies, affecting books, photography, visual art, software and other creative works.

Social media has further complicated the issue, allowing copyrighted content to be copied and shared with thousands of users within seconds.

Artificial intelligence is also becoming part of the conversation as creators, lawmakers and copyright organisations continue debating ownership, originality and the use of copyrighted material to train AI systems.

ESWACOS Managing Director Mmeli Hlandze said these developments make copyright education more important than ever.

He encouraged journalists to help educate the public on intellectual property, saying a better understanding of copyright laws will help protect creators while encouraging innovation and creativity.

Copyright office warns offenders as enforcement steps up

The Copyright Office has warned individuals and businesses involved in copyright infringement that enforcement is becoming more active through joint operations with law enforcement agencies.

Senior Copyright Officer Nomcebo Mavuso said the office is now working closely with the Royal Eswatini Police Service and other authorities to investigate suspected copyright violations and take legal action where necessary.

"We are no longer waiting for complaints alone. We have partnered with law enforcement to carry out raids and ensure that the law is being followed," she said.

Mavuso said copyright infringement continues to affect creators across different industries by denying them recognition and income from their work.

One recent case involved the unlawful reproduction of the school textbook Lifa, which was allegedly printed without the permission of the copyright owner.

According to Mavuso, the case demonstrates that copyright violations are not limited to music and film but also affect books, educational material and other creative works.

She encouraged creators who suspect their work has been infringed to report the matter to the Copyright Office before opening a police case.

The office can assess complaints, determine whether copyright has been infringed and work alongside law enforcement where necessary.

Mavuso said this approach helps creators avoid unnecessary legal costs while ensuring cases are handled through the appropriate channels.

She added that continued public education, stronger enforcement and closer collaboration between copyright authorities and law enforcement will be key to protecting Eswatini's growing creative industry.