The Standard Group has issued a warning to readers over unauthorized distribution of The Standard and The Nairobian ePaper copies.
In a notice on Thursday, January 30, SG management said the ePaper versions are shared on social media without their approval.
“It has come to our attention that digital copies of The Standard and The Nairobian ePaper are being distributed without authorization via messenger and social media platforms,” reads part of the notice.
Standard Management advised that reproducing, copying or distributing these products constitutes a criminal offence under Section 38 of the Copyright Act.
Additionally, Clause 12.3 of the Group’s terms and conditions explicitly prohibits the copying, distribution or modification of our content.
The management directed Kenyans to delete the ePaper copies from their platforms to avoid legal action.
“If you have shared The Standard or The Nairobian ePaper editions on email or messenger and social media platforms, you should immediately delete it,” the Management warned.
“The Standard Group takes the protection of its intellectual property rights seriously and will pursue all available legal remedies against individuals found in possession of or distributing our copyrighted material without a license.”
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Penalties for Piracy
Piracy is the illegal copying, distributing, or using copyrighted material without the copyright holder’s permission.
Copyright Act 2001 provides the foundation for copyright protection in Kenya.
It prohibits the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and sale of copyrighted works, including digital newspapers.
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In Kenya the 2001 Copyright Act empowers the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) to punish copyright infringement.
The penalties may be up to Ksh800,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years or both depending on the severity of the violation.
The Act also authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of infringing copies and related equipment.
Civil rights holders can pursue civil remedies including damages and injunctions. Notably, the warning by the Standard Group comes amid its financial turbulance.
Listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange – NSE and owned by the late President Daniel Arap Moi’s family, the Standard Group has remained in the red for years.
The situation has forced it to adopt extreme measures, including triming of its payroll by initiating mass firing of staff.
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