The Copyright Office under the National Council for Arts and Culture informs the general public that effective August 5, 2019, no person shall engage in reproduction or recording of Islamic Sermons of Oustas Omar Bun Jeng for commercial purpose without permission.

This information is obtained in a press release signed by Sana Jawara – Copyright Officer on behalf of Mr Hassoum Ceesay, acting Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

The release further states that: “Attention of this Office has been drawn to certain section of the public engages in reproduction and commercialisation of Sermons of the late Oustas Bun Jeng without permission or authorisation, which violates Copyright Ownership of the said products as provided in section 15 of the 2004 Copyright Act of The Gambia.

“The late renowned Islamic Scholar conducted most of these sermons while under the employment of The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), as per section 11(1)(a-c) of the 2004 Copyright Act, Cap 96:04 Volume 15, Laws of The Gambia.

“As such, any person(s) interested in the reproduction and sale of works of the cited well respected Islamic Scholar for commercial gains must contact GRTS for permission, as per cited law, Failure of which shall amount to violation of Copyright owners (GRTS and heirs of the late Islamic Scholar), who are entitle to succeed his economic and moral rights, as per sections of the said Copyright Act, Laws of The Gambia,” the press release concludes.

Reporting by Madi S. Njie