Welcome to Cosbots

Welcome to
Cosbots

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO – MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND UPLOADS:
A LITTLE ABOUT US:
The Copyright Society of Botswana was established in Botswana which was commissioned and became fully operational in November 2011. In 2012 the registration of members together with licensing of users began leading to a successful distribution of royalties in 2014.
We are mandated by the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act – CAP6802 of 2006 to among others licence and collect royalties from users of copyright protected works, to distribute them to copyright owners.
OUR SERVICES
As the only collective management orginization in Botswana, we are a link between Users of copyright works and Owners, rights holders manage their rights through COSBOTS, while the users, Broadcasters, DJ’s, Libraries etc have an obligation to aquire a COSBOTS license prior to use of works.
The main exclusive rights we administer are:
The right of public performance
The right of broadcasting
The right of communication
to the public
The right of public performance
The right
of broadcasting
The right of communication to the public
Our mandate is to: Monitor usage of works – License Users – Collect royalties from Users and – Pay royalties to Rights holders
In addition, COSBOTS administers the rights of non-musical protected works such as literary,
audio-visual and other artistic works exploited for commercial purposes.
What do we mean by Collective Management?
- 1 – stop shop for those seeking to use artists works and a solution for creators
- the exercise of copyright and related rights by organizations like COSBOTS on behalf of Members
- Representation of right holders through mandates that right holders have given to COSBOTS
All events, concerts, shows, beauty pageants or any event where music is played and/or performed MUST be licensed by COSBOTS upon payment of a license fee.
At COSBOTS we are committed to upholding uppermost standards of business ethics, and corporate governance by ensuring that:
1. Monies collected from Users are distributed;
- Efficiently
- Diligently
- Expeditiously
- Transparently
- In accordance with legislative requirements and signed agreements

2. Members benefit whenever their works may be used
3. We encourage and empower creativity
4. We encourage reprographic artists – to register their works with COSBOTS by joining and forming associations
2. Members benefit whenever their works may be used
3. We encourage and empower creativity
4. We encourage reprographic artists – to register their works with COSBOTS by joining and forming associations
What do we mean by Collective Management?
- 1 – stop shop for those seeking to use artists works and a solution for creators
- the exercise of copyright and related rights by organizations like COSBOTS on behalf of Members
- Representation of right holders through mandates that right holders have given to COSBOTS
All events, concerts, shows, beauty pageants or any event where music is played and/or performed MUST be licensed by COSBOTS upon payment of a license fee.
At COSBOTS we are committed to upholding uppermost standards of business ethics,
and corporate governance by ensuring that:
1. Monies collected from Users are distributed;
- Efficiently
- Diligently
- Expeditiously
- Transparently
- In accordance with legislative requirements and signed agreements
2. Members benefit whenever their works may be used
3. We encourage and empower creativity
4. We encourage reprographic artists – to register their works with
COSBOTS by joining and forming associations

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Our purpose: COSBOTS exists to among others: negotiate and grant licenses in written agreements with users, the collection and distribution of royalties to appropriate owners of copyright
Vision: To be the best collective management organization in the world
Mission: We empower creativity

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Our purpose: COSBOTS exists to among others: negotiate and grant licenses in written agreements with users, the collection and distribution of royalties to appropriate owners of copyright
Vision: To be the best collective management organization in the world
Mission: We empower creativity
CORE VALUES

Results Driven: We will be customer focused, always working from the mind-set of helping clients win
Botho & Integrity: Humility, sound moral & ethical principles. Honesty and trust are central to integrity. Provision of service with courtesy, politeness, respect and consideration
Transparency & Accountability: Openness and responsibility in our dealings and transactions with customers and stakeholders
Teamwork: Working collaboratively as a group in order to achieve goals
CORE VALUES
Results Driven: We will be customer focused, always working from the mind-set of helping clients win
Botho & Integrity: Humility, sound moral & ethical principles. Honesty and trust are central to integrity. Provision of service with courtesy, politeness, respect and consideration
Transparency & Accountability: Openness and responsibility in our dealings and transactions with customers and stakeholders
Teamwork: Working collaboratively as a group in order to achieve goals

OUR OBJECTIVES:
- Increase revenue collected by COSBOTS.
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Implement Corporate Governance best practices.
- Continuously forge for innovative solutions to deliver service.
- Ensure COSBOTS forges for and maintains a good brand.
INDUSTRY INFORMATION:
The following provides information related to the industry;
- Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act CAP 68:02
Industry snapshot:
The Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) began through enactment of the revised Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act CAP 68:02 in June 2006. COSBOTS was therefore incorporated as a company, no: 2008/3322 in June 2008, as a Collective Management Organisation to administer copyright, as well as to collect and distribute royalties to owners of copyright (rights holders).
Background and development:
COSBOTS is established as a non-profit making company, limited by guarantee, supervised by the Copyright Office under the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA). The startup capital for the set-up of COSBOTS was availed in July 2010, by the Government of Botswana through the then Ministry of Trade and Industry. The founding Board, representatives from different creative industry sectors were mandated to get COSBOTS fully operational.
COSBOTS has so far significantly developed since beginning its operations, from recruitment of the CEO and employees, to undertaking several training programs provided by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, (ARIPO), and Norwegian Copyright Development Agency, (NORCODE). This resulted in developing Rules and Regulations and other numerous internal policies that provided an appropriate and adequate framework for starting up operations.
Key processes:
- Licensing: is a mechanism used by right-holders to authorize others to use their intellectual property under agreed terms and conditions. In this case COSBOTS by statute represents rights owners hence has authority to license users of its repertoire (copyright works administered by COSBOTS). Users such as Broadcasters, business entities etc. pay royalties for exploitation of works.
- Documentation & Distribution: The department is responsible for developing and managing membership documentation, authentication and distribution processes in line with Membership and Distribution Rules and other relevant policies to reach the goals of the organization.
- Reprography : The department is responsible for licensing and collecting royalties for other categories of works including; Poetry, Visual Arts, Literary works, photography etc to distribute to rightful owners.
- Finance & Administration: The department provides and facilitates operating departments with shared services that include budgeting, finance, procurement, contract administration, and information technology hardware as well as software support.
- Corporate Communications: Involves managing and orchestrating set marketing and communications activities in all internal and external communications aimed at creating favorable point-of-view among stakeholders on which the company depends such as employees, media, stakeholders and the general public.
OUR OBJECTIVES:
- Increase revenue collected by COSBOTS.
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Implement Corporate Governance best practices.
- Continuously forge for innovative solutions to deliver service.
- Ensure COSBOTS forges for and maintains a good brand.
INDUSTRY INFORMATION:
The following provides information related to the industry;
- Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act CAP 68:02
Industry snapshot:
The Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) began through enactment of the revised Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act CAP 68:02 in June 2006. COSBOTS was therefore incorporated as a company, no: 2008/3322 in June 2008, as a Collective Management Organisation to administer copyright, as well as to collect and distribute royalties to owners of copyright (rights holders).
Background and development:
COSBOTS is established as a non-profit making company, limited by guarantee, supervised by the Copyright Office under the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA). The startup capital for the set-up of COSBOTS was availed in July 2010, by the Government of Botswana through the then Ministry of Trade and Industry. The founding Board, representatives from different creative industry sectors were mandated to get COSBOTS fully operational.
COSBOTS has so far significantly developed since beginning its operations, from recruitment of the CEO and employees, to undertaking several training programs provided by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, (ARIPO), and Norwegian Copyright Development Agency, (NORCODE). This resulted in developing Rules and Regulations and other numerous internal policies that provided an appropriate and adequate framework for starting up operations.
Key processes:
- Licensing: is a mechanism used by right-holders to authorize others to use their intellectual property under agreed terms and conditions. In this case COSBOTS by statute represents rights owners hence has authority to license users of its repertoire (copyright works administered by COSBOTS). Users such as Broadcasters, business entities etc. pay royalties for exploitation of works.
- Documentation & Distribution: The department is responsible for developing and managing membership documentation, authentication and distribution processes in line with Membership and Distribution Rules and other relevant policies to reach the goals of the organization.
- Reprography : The department is responsible for licensing and collecting royalties for other categories of works including; Poetry, Visual Arts, Literary works, photography etc to distribute to rightful owners.
- Finance & Administration: The department provides and facilitates operating departments with shared services that include budgeting, finance, procurement, contract administration, and information technology hardware as well as software support.
- Corporate Communications: Involves managing and orchestrating set marketing and communications activities in all internal and external communications aimed at creating favorable point-of-view among stakeholders on which the company depends such as employees, media, stakeholders and the general public.
Contact us here!
