High Court rules ZIMURA can collect royalties from fast food giant

Zimbabwe's High Court ruled that a fast-food chain violated copyright laws by playing music from artists such as Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Nutty O, and Killer T without compensating the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association. The association represents over 4,500 domestic musicians and collaborates with international performers through the CISAC network. Justice Mafusire determined that ZIMURA holds exclusive licensing authority over works by its registered members rather than the Zimbabwe Council of Copyright Owners. The court rejected ZIMURA's $86,719 damages claim because the organization failed to demonstrate actual financial losses, but the decision established that businesses must obtain proper licenses before using copyrighted material in commercial settings.