The High Court of Kenya has declined a bid by Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) to continue collecting royalties on behalf of its members pursuant to a court order that had been issued in June 2024.

Lady Justice W Mong'are dismissed a petition by MCSK stating that under the Copyright Act, the dispute filled by MCSK ought to have been first filed for determination before the Copyright Tribunal.

While citing the ruling, the Kenya Copyright Board Ag Executive Director George Nyakweba, argues that MCSK does not have authority to collect royalties as a Collective Management Organization (CMO).

The judge further directed MCSK to forthwith cease and desist from presenting itself to the public and music users as a licensed CMO.

“We pursuing other matters pending before the courts relating to the licensing of CMOs, and shall inform the public upon determination of the said matters,” reads the statement.