Copyright Dispute Escalates: Restaurants Face Legal Action Over Unpaid Fees

The professional association for the protection and support of the artist takes a stand in the dispute between the National Copyright and Related Rights Office and cafe and restaurant owners. It accused the managers of these establishments of engaging in "illegitimate and provocative practices for the rightholders of artistic and literary works, and of flouting all the laws published in the Official Journal". This position comes after the president of the National Federation of Cafe and Restaurant Owners of Morocco reaffirmed his refusal to pay copyright fees following formal notices and reports drawn up by the Moroccan Copyright and Related Rights Office.

After noting the "untruths and lies uttered by a cafe owner in Kenitra who refuses to comply with the law and abstains from paying copyright fees for the exploitation of literary and artistic works, inciting the members of his association not to apply the law in a desperate attempt to target artists, creators and the Moroccan Copyright and Related Rights Office", the association said it intends to take legal action "to defend the rights of Moroccan artists and creators, in particular the issue of the refusal of cafe owners to pay copyright fees". It says it has already sent a letter to the competent authorities.

The tug-of-war between the National Copyright and Related Rights Office and cafe and restaurant owners was born following the launch of a campaign under the slogan "Your commitment ensures sustainability", in order to encourage establishments exploiting works protected by copyright to pay copyright and related rights