Kasule Douglas Benda
Version tailored specifically for the film industry:
Neighbouring Rights in Uganda’s Film Industry (Under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025)
Copyright vs Neighbouring Rights, What’s the Difference?
Think of a film production.
Copyright protects the original creators of the work, the screenstoryteller who writes the script, the director who shapes the story, or the composer who creates the film score.
Neighbouring rights, on the other hand, protect the people and entities who bring that film to life and deliver it to audiences, the actors, producers, and broadcasters.
They are called “neighbouring” because they exist alongside copyright. They don’t replace it, they complement it.
In film, neighbouring rights recognize the collaborative nature of production, ensuring that everyone who adds value beyond the script gets legal and financial protection.
Who is Protected in the Film Industry?
1. Performers (Actors & Actresses)
These are the faces we see on screen actors, voice artists, stunt performers, and dancers.
For example, if an actor performs in a film:
They hold neighbouring rights over their performance, even if they didn’t write the script.
If someone extracts clips from that film and uses or sells them without permission, the actor’s rights may be violated.
Even in cases where an actor is hired, their performance itself is still protected.
2. Producers of Audiovisual Works (Film Producers & Production Companies)
These are the individuals or companies that finance and oversee the making of films.
Imagine a Ugandan production company invests heavily in:
- Casting
- Equipment
- Locations
- Post-production
They hold neighbouring rights in the final audiovisual work, the completed film.
This means:
If the film is shown publicly, broadcast, or commercially exploited, the producer is entitled to equitable remuneration. Revenue should not only go to exhibitors or distributors, producers and performers also have a legal claim.
3. Broadcasters & Streaming Platforms
These include TV stations and digital platforms that distribute films to the public.
For example:
A TV station that airs a Ugandan film has rights over its broadcast signal. Another platform cannot legally rebroadcast that film from the TV signal without permission. Neighbouring rights protect the investment made in distribution and transmission.
How Neighbouring Rights Apply in Film (Real-Life Situations)
Film Screenings & Public Exhibitions
When a film is shown in:
- Cinemas
- Film festivals
- Community screenings
The law recognizes this as a public performance.
Both producers and performers (actors) are entitled to compensation from such uses.
Television Broadcasts
When a TV station airs a film:
The actors (performers)
The producer (owner of the film recording)
…are entitled to equitable remuneration.
Streaming & Digital Platforms
When films are uploaded or streamed on platforms:
Subscription revenue or advertising income should be shared across the value chain.
Neighbouring rights ensure actors and producers are not left out of digital earnings.
Bars, Buses & Public Spaces
If a bar, restaurant, or even a bus plays films or film content to entertain customers:
This counts as public performance.
Licensing fees may be required.
Who Collects and Distributes the Money?
The law allows the government, through the Ministry of Justice and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), to guide how royalties are collected.
In practice:
Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) handle this process. In our case it’s UFMI (Have you registered as a member? That’s the only way to get benefits)
They collect fees from users (TV stations, cinemas, businesses) Then distribute earnings to actors, producers, and other rights holders.
The Critical Role of Registration
Here’s the part many filmmakers overlook:
You cannot effectively enforce your rights without registration.
To take legal action against infringement, your film must be registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
Without registration, ownership may be recognized morally but enforcing it legally becomes very difficult.
Why This Matters for the Film Industry
For a long time, many filmmakers and actors have experienced:
Visibility without income, Exposure without compensation
This Bill aims to change that.
It positions film not just as art, but as intellectual property with measurable value.
Neighbouring rights ensure that:
- Actors are paid beyond their initial fee
- Producers earn from continued exploitation of their films
- Distributors and broadcasters operate within a fair system
The Bottom Line
Film is a team effort.
Neighbouring rights are the legal tool that ensures everyone who contributes to bringing a film to life, from the actor to the producer to the broadcaster, earns their fair share.
They turn the industry from a passion-driven space into a sustainable economic ecosystem.
#MakingUgFilmsFamous
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I’m a professional performing artist, an acting coach, film director, actors’ agent and more.
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