GAVA Advocates for Actors’ Rights at WIPO-ARIPO Regional Seminar in Harare

GAVA participated in the WIPO-ARIPO Regional Seminar titled “Copyright: A Driver of the Creative Economy“, held in Harare from November 26 to 28, 2024. The event brought together copyright offices from more than twenty African countries, as well as representatives from various sectors of the creative industry, to discuss the role of copyright in fostering economic growth and protecting creators’ rights.

As part of its ongoing commitment to championing audiovisual performers’ rights, GAVA actively contributed to the discussions, reinforcing the need for stronger protections in an evolving digital landscape.

During the seminar, José María Montes, Director of GAVA, delivered a compelling presentation on the main challenges currently facing the film industry and actors in particular. He highlighted key issues such as the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI), the rise of short-format content, and the increasing dominance of digital platforms. Montes stressed the urgent need to secure adequate protection for actors by guaranteeing them the right to receive appropriate and proportional remuneration for any use of their audiovisual performances, particularly in the digital environment.

Advocating for practical solutions, Montes emphasized that collective management is the most effective mechanism to ensure that these rights work in practice, allowing performers to benefit fairly from the exploitation of their work. He called for robust legal and institutional frameworks that not only recognize these emerging challenges but also provide enforceable mechanisms for fair compensation.

GAVA’s participation in this seminar underscores its dedication to fostering a fair and sustainable audiovisual industry, where performers’ rights are fully recognized and protected. By working alongside WIPO, ARIPO, copyright offices, and other industry stakeholders, GAVA continues to play a key role in strengthening copyright protections and ensuring that the creative economy thrives.