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World Sports Bodies raise Concern Over Kenya Copyright Bill

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Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the WIPO Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works

A coalition of global sports bodies has written an open letter to the Kenyan government, expressing concern about the Copyright Amendment Bill currently before parliament, and its potential impact on the availability of international sports content in Kenya.

The Sports Rights Owner Coalition (SROC) is an alliance of more than 50 international and national sport bodies, representing some of the world’s leading sport codes and competitions – including the English Premier League, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, MotoGP, and the Rugby World Cup.

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In the recent letter, signed by Chairman Mark Lichtenstein, the SROC says its members are “extremely concerned” at changes that will be made to Kenya’s Copyright Act if the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law.

The SROC is particularly worried about proposals to repeal sections 35B, 35C and 35D of the Copyright Act, which allow for take-down notices issued to internet-based service provider platforms which enable content piracy to flourish.

A take-down notice is a widely used remedy employed by copyright owners worldwide, compelling online platforms to rapidly remove content from their websites if it is suspected that the content infringes copyright.

The Kenya Copyright Board (KeCOBO) champion of the Partners Against Piracy (PAP) initiative, has come out in support of the SROC letter.

“Take-down notices are a critical tool for copyright holders and related rights holders to fight digital content piracy by controlling the distribution and economic viability of their work and how it is accessed online,” says Edward Sigei, KeCOBO Executive Director.

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“Across the world, they help to safeguard the intellectual property rights of sports rights owners. If rights owners cannot request that pirated sports content is taken down immediately, that will threaten the future of live sports broadcasts in Kenya. Why would international sports media allow sports broadcasts in Kenya, if they have no way of stopping them from being pirated!”

Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works. Takedown notices are among these principles and are necessary tools to enforce copyright protections for rights owners and distributors.

If the Amendment Bill is passed into law, Kenya will be out of step with global trends, the average Kenyan will lose out on great sports entertainment. A further negative consequence of this Amendment Bill passing would be the reputational and economic investment quagmire it would create is jeopardising Kenya’s ability to renew participation in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (AGOA) program, as one of the additional provisions of renewal requires a demonstrated commitment to copyright protection as a prerequisite to signing. Repealing section 35 of the Copyright Act, would do the exact opposite and threaten investor confidence.

The SROC points out that in Europe, policy makers are strengthening not weakening the effectiveness of take-down notices, particularly regarding live content. New proposals to protect live content more effectively in Europe are expected in the first half of 2022.

“Were the Copyright Amendment Bill to be enacted, it could have devastating consequences for both the Kenyan economy and Kenyan consumers,” says the SROC letter. “Rights holders from sport and other creative industries are extremely unlikely to license their content in a jurisdiction that effectively legitimises piracy. Consumers would therefore be deprived from watching their favourite sports and television shows, and leave Kenya isolated on the global copyright stage.”

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The coalition – which includes the English FA, UEFA, the IAAF, and the International Tennis Federation – goes on to ask that the proposed new law be urgently reconsidered “so as not to harm Kenyan consumers and threaten the availability of sports and entertainment content in Kenya.”

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Africa

Nolimit City Celebrates South Africa Debut

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Nolimit City, the innovative slot developer known for its boundary-pushing games, announced its official entry into the South African market. This strategic move strengthens Nolimit City’s global footprint and brings its unique entertainment brand to a vibrant new audience.

The South African launch, made possible through Evolution’s One Stop Shop integration platform, enables local players to enjoy Nolimit City’s most popular titles, promising a high-standard experience for South African players. These include San Quentin xWays, Deadwood xNudge and Fire In The Hole xBomb amongst an ever-growing array of fantastic titles.

This announcement comes off the heels of their recent entry into Switzerland earlier this month and sets the tone for the rest of the year, with the provider eyeing further expansion in new markets throughout 2024, and beyond.

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Malcolm Mizzi, Commercial Director at Nolimit City, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the adrenaline-fueled excitement of Nolimit City games to South African players. This marks a major milestone in our worldwide expansion, and we’re committed to delivering the best possible gaming experience to this dynamic market.”

Dean Finder, Chief Executive Officer at Evolution Services SA, said: “South African players, get ready for the exhilarating world of Nolimit City games! Their arrival is a game-changer in our market, and we’re dedicated to providing a top-notch, action-packed slot experience Nolimit is famous for.”

The post Nolimit City Celebrates South Africa Debut appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NSoft Unveils Revolutionary Crash Cash Game in Admiral Bet Uganda Retail Shops

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NSoft, a leading software solutions provider for the betting and gaming industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its innovative Crash Cash games in Admiral Bet retail betting shops across Uganda.

This groundbreaking move marks a significant milestone in NSoft’s strategic expansion into the African market, particularly in the realm of retail crash games, in partnership with the esteemed Admiral Bet brand.

By transitioning this popular online gaming concept to the retail environment, NSoft is set to revitalize the retail betting sector, which has faced challenges such as limited space and outdated equipment, hindering its ability to offer fresh gaming experiences.

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NSoft is redefining the retail betting landscape with the introduction of Crash Cash. Unlike anything currently available in retail betting, Crash Cash is designed to disrupt and innovate with its state-of-the-art infrastructure, providing a seamless, visually engaging experience for players.

The game is enhanced by NSoft’s proprietary Boost Gamification System, offering unique features that set it apart in a competitive market.

Crash Cash’s simplicity and accessibility are key to its appeal. The game’s straightforward mechanics ensure that it is easily understandable and enjoyable for players of all experience levels, making it a perfect fit for the fast-paced retail environment where engaging and quick-to-learn games are highly valued.

With this innovative offering, NSoft is not only aiming to captivate players but also to establish a new benchmark in retail gaming experiences.

The company’s deep understanding of the retail gaming market, combined with its commitment to innovation, positions Crash Cash as a game-changer that will attract new customers and redefine what is possible in retail betting.

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Africa

1Stop Translations Partners with Suss Ads

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1Stop Translations has entered into a strategic partnership with Suss Ads, a leading Kenyan technology and marketing services provider. The partnership aims to offer iGaming companies entering the African markets a seamless entry into the continent.

This partnership will integrate the expertise of 1Stop Translations in the field of translations and international digital marketing with that of Suss Ads.

Nicola Pansini, Sales and Marketing Manager at 1Stop Translations, said: “We are proud to announce this agreement between 1Stop Translations and Suss Ads, because the two companies have a common goal: to provide their customers with the ​​best possible service in terms of quality and results. With this partnership, the two companies have integrated their service offering, becoming the point of reference for all companies operating in the iGaming and betting sector and looking for effective marketing solutions to expand their business in the African market.”

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Dennis Maina, Managing Partner at Suss Ads, said: “We are excited to join forces with 1Stop Translations. This partnership will seamlessly integrate the expertise of 1Stop Translations in translations and international digital marketing with our own specialization in Programmatic Ads and SMS advertising campaigns. Together, we will offer a comprehensive solution that leverages technology and linguistic proficiency to empower our clients to reach and engage with their target audience effectively in the African market and beyond.”

The post 1Stop Translations Partners with Suss Ads appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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