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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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Women in Gaming Africa Partners with All-in Diversity Project to Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across Gaming

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Women in Gaming Africa (WiG) proudly announces its strategic partnership with the All-in Diversity Project, a globally recognised organisation dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the gaming sector. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in fostering greater representation and empowerment across the industry, particularly within the African continent.

As leaders in their respective domains, Women in Gaming Africa and the All-in Diversity Project share a common mission: to drive positive change by promoting diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the gaming sector. By joining forces, they aim to amplify their impact and reach, ensuring that underrepresented voices and perspectives are heard and valued within the global gaming community.

Reflecting on the partnership, Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of All-in Diversity Project remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Women in Gaming Africa in our ongoing pursuit of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the gaming industry. This collaboration not only extends our reach across the globe but also underscores our belief in the mutual benefits of partnering. By joining forces, we have a unique opportunity to learn from each other, share insights, and elevate the dialogue surrounding DEI in Africa and beyond.”

Empowering diversity in gaming isn’t just a vision; it’s a commitment. Our collaboration with All-in-Diversity is a powerful stride towards inclusivity, diversity & empowerment; fostering a vibrant community where every voice thrives. Together, we pave the way for a stronger, more diverse future in gaming. I encourage those reading this to join us in shaping tomorrow’s industry today!

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Through this partnership, Women in Gaming Africa and the All-in Diversity Project will leverage their combined expertise, resources, and networks to drive meaningful change and create a more inclusive gaming ecosystem. By championing diversity and empowering individuals from all backgrounds, they aim to cultivate a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive and contribute to the industry’s success.

The post Women in Gaming Africa Partners with All-in Diversity Project to Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

3 Oaks Gaming to enter South Africa with Supabets

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iGaming distributor to extend global presence with latest regulated market push

3 Oaks Gaming, an established distributor of iGaming content, is set to go live in the South African iGaming market through a partnership with leading operator, Supabets.

With this collaboration, 3 Oaks Gaming’s diverse portfolio of games will be accessible to players on Supabets’ online platform. Users will soon be able to enjoy a plethora of top-performing titles from the iGaming distributor, including Sun of Egypt 3: Hold and Win, Green Chili: Hold and Win, and Aztec Fire: Hold and Win.

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Founded in 2008, Supabets has established itself as one of the premium brands in the region, providing its customers with a comprehensive range of sports betting markets and wide selection of casino games.

This latest news is set to reinforce 3 Oaks Gaming’s strategic vision for global expansion. Venturing into the African continent for the first time significantly broadens the supplier’s audience reach, signalling a new era of commercial growth.

Sebastian Damian, Managing Director of 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “This marks a pivotal moment for our company as we prepare for our content to seamlessly integrate with Supabets, enriching the gaming experience for South African players.

“We are confident that our games will leave a lasting impression, and we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead with our esteemed partner.”

Bavu Mpama, Head of Product at Supabets, said: “3 Oaks Gaming offers an extensive collection of slots that we believe will captivate and entertain our users. This collaboration is part of our commitment to continuously enhance our casino offering for our players.

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“We’re poised to redefine the iGaming landscape in South Africa, setting new benchmarks for excellence in the industry.”

The post 3 Oaks Gaming to enter South Africa with Supabets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Kiron Interactive strengthens Ethiopian performance with Hulu Sport deal

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Kiron Interactive, a leading provider of virtual sports and numbers games, has announced the expansion of its partnership with Hulu Sport, a tier-one operator in Ethiopia, with the launch of its innovative Mobile Lite Football Leagues product.

The new offering, known as the Hulu League, is an extension of Kiron’s existing partnership with Hulu Sport, which already includes the integration of Kiron’s products in the operator’s retail and online channels via its omnichannel Betman platform.

Mobile Lite Football Leagues is a tailored version of Kiron’s popular virtual football product, designed specifically for mobile devices in markets with limited bandwidth. The game offers an immersive and engaging virtual football experience, complete with a wide range of betting markets while requiring a fraction of the regular data consumption.

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The Hulu League launch will significantly boost Hulu Sport’s mobile offering, providing its players with a unique, entertaining and data-light virtual football betting experience that Kiron Interactive is renowned for in the industry.

Steven Spartinos, Kiron Co-CEO, said: “We are honoured to extend our partnership with Hulu Sport, one of Ethiopia’s leading operators. The launch of the Hulu League demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative and tailored products that meet the specific needs of our partners and their players.

“We look forward to working closely with the Hulu Sport team to ensure the success of this new bespoke offering and to exploring further opportunities to enhance their product portfolio with our cutting-edge virtual sports content.”

Kibrom Gebremeskel, Deputy General Manager at Hulegeb Online Solution, said: “We are excited to expand our partnership with Kiron Interactive and bring the engaging Hulu League virtual football product to more players in Ethiopia. This innovative offering perfectly complements our existing sports betting portfolio and provides our customers with a unique and immersive gaming experience.

“Kiron’s Mobile Lite Football Leagues product has been tailored to meet the specific needs of our market, and we are confident that it will be a major hit with our players. We look forward to working closely with the Kiron team to maximise the potential of this new content and to further strengthen our position as a leading operator in the Ethiopian market.”

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The post Kiron Interactive strengthens Ethiopian performance with Hulu Sport deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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