The Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL) on July 22, 2025, disbursed welfare benefits in pay Cheques to several Liberian musicians at its offices in Monrovia.
The program was attended by diverse creators, ranging from Musician; both gospel and circular, writers and filmmakers.
COSOL’S disbursement of welfare benefits to Musicians in cash is a stepping stone for turning film is wealth generation.
This year welfare distribution marks the second disbursement done by COSOL since it began active service in 2020, as it was done under a transparent atmosphere where Rightsholders who are members of the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL) were asked to submit their SONGS, LYRICS before being assigned an ID number.
Speaking to scores of creators at the welfare distribution program, the Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), Madam Garmai Koboi emphasized that the welfare distribution to creators and rightsholders is intended to recognize and appreciate their efforts.
“Let me be clear to you guys, today’s event is not about Royalties Distribution but Welfare disbursement. This is the Government of Liberia through LIPO and the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL) way of appreciating you during this Independence Day celebration for the level of work you creators do.” DG Koiboi said.
She meanwhile, used the occasion to encourage all creators and rightsholders across Liberia to be members of LIPO and COSOL.
“Very soon we will put smiles on the faces of musicians, cause we are currently working behind the scenes to ensure that your music played by betting companies during the promotional hours on radio is paid for before playing, because the Government of Liberia is willing to support the creative sector .” She added.
In remarks, LIPO’s Deputy Director General for Copyright, and Chairperson of the Copyright Society of Liberia Advisory Council, Hon. Clarence H. Cole, stressed that the welfare distribution is not only about giving but respecting the values and strides made by musicians through their creativity.
“Today’s welfare distribution is a testament to your hard work and dedication, and as such, I want to make specific references to those who continued to support the growth of the economy through their creativity and talents; you the artists, writers, actors and actresses.” Hon Cole asserted.
Hon. Cole called on all owners of literary and artistic work to include, including authors, musicians, and film producers, to have their work registered with the Liberia Intellectual Property Office through the Copyright Department, noting that such registration grants them lifetime protection plus 50 years after their death.
For his part, the Executive Director of the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL), Mr. James Yandan Draper, urged musicians and creators across the country to make it their business to form part of COSOL, noting that there is strength in membership.
“The more our membership grows better, we will have more incentives and opportunities for you rightsholders.” Mr Draper added.
He further lamented that COSOL is committed to protecting rights of creators throughout the length and breadth of Liberia. Mr Draper wants rightsholders and Creators to play by the rules by being a member to avoid being abused.
The Copyright Society of Liberia was established in October 2019 but began operations on August 17, 2020, with a mission to develop a value system for creativity in our culture such that fame and popularity are directly proportional to wealth generation by rights holders.
COSOL’S vision is to harness the economic benefits of creativity by rights holders through providing a platform where creativity can be a source of substance for the community.
The Copyright Society of Liberia’s goals and objectives are to provide a system that accurately, timely collects and distributes royalties over creative content, ensuring members of the creative sector understand the business aspect of their creativity.
COSOL is also responsible for organizing the chain of commerce for creative works as well as attracting new and sustainable investment in the creative industry across Liberia.
