Intellectual Property & Copyright
Your music is your property. Understand your rights as a creator under Ghana's Copyright Act 2005, how to register and protect your works, and what to do when your rights are violated.
Your Rights as a Music Creator in Ghana
As soon as you create an original musical work — whether a song, composition, arrangement, lyrics, or recording — you automatically own the copyright under Ghana's Copyright Act 2005 (Act 690). Registration is not required for copyright to exist, but it creates invaluable evidence of ownership.
Your copyright gives you the exclusive right to:
- ✓ Reproduce your music (make copies, recordings, sheet music)
- ✓ Distribute your music (sell, give away, stream)
- ✓ Perform your music publicly
- ✓ Broadcast your music on radio, TV, or online
- ✓ Create derivative works (remixes, arrangements, adaptations)
- ✓ License any of the above rights to others for a fee
Copyright Act 2005 — Simply Explained
Automatic Protection
Act 690 Section 1: Copyright subsists automatically in original literary, artistic, and musical works. No registration, notice, or formality is required.
Moral Rights
You have the perpetual right to be identified as the author of your work and to object to any distortion, mutilation, or modification that harms your reputation — even if you have sold your economic rights.
Performers' Rights
Section 29–40: Performers have rights separate from composers. You must give permission for your performance to be recorded and for any recording to be broadcast or communicated to the public.
Licensing
You can grant licences (permission to use your work) without giving up ownership. Licences should always be in writing and specify: permitted uses, duration, territory, exclusivity, and fee.
Infringement & Remedies
Act 690 Section 43: Copyright infringement entitles you to injunctive relief, damages, and account of profits. Criminal penalties (fine and imprisonment) apply to commercial-scale piracy.
How to Register Your Music with COSGA & NCA
The Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) is the collective management organisation for musical compositions in Ghana, operating under the National Communications Authority (NCA). Registering your works with COSGA enables royalty collection and provides evidence of your ownership.
Gather Your Documentation
Prepare: a copy of your Ghana Card or Passport, a list of all works you want to register (title, date created, co-writers and their share percentages), and evidence of the works (recordings, sheet music, or lyrics dated and signed).
Visit or Apply to COSGA
COSGA's offices are located at the National Communications Authority compound, Spintex Road, Accra. Application forms are also available online. The registration fee is currently GHS 50 for MUSIGA members (standard rate GHS 100).
Complete Repertoire Declaration
Submit a complete list of all your musical works. This is your repertoire declaration — the basis on which royalties are calculated and distributed. Update it each time you release new music.
Receive Your COSGA Membership Number
Once accepted, you will receive a COSGA membership card and number. Include your COSGA number on all licensing agreements, streaming distribution profiles, and music release materials.
Collect Royalties Quarterly
COSGA distributes mechanical and performance royalties to registered songwriters quarterly. Ensure your bank details are kept up to date with COSGA to receive payments.
Copyright Registration vs. COSGA Membership: What's the Difference?
- • Creates a public record of ownership
- • Useful evidence in infringement cases
- • One-time per work
- • Does not collect royalties
- • Enables royalty collection and distribution
- • Requires annual membership renewal
- • COSGA monitors usage on your behalf
- • Covers mechanical and performance royalties
Dealing with Sample Clearances
If you want to use a portion of another artist's song in your own music — even a few seconds of a drum loop or a melody hook — you need to clear the sample. Using uncleared samples exposes you to legal action and can result in your music being removed from streaming platforms, unpaid damages, and injunctions.
What Needs Clearance
Any recognisable portion of a copyrighted sound recording, melody, or lyric. There is no "safe" percentage — even 1 second of a distinctive recording requires clearance in Ghanaian and international law.
Two Licences Required
You need a master licence (from whoever owns the recording — usually the record label) and a mechanical/sync licence (from whoever owns the composition — usually the publisher or songwriter). Contact COSGA and GHAMRO for guidance on finding rights holders.
Interpolations and Replay
If you re-record a melody or riff (an "interpolation") rather than lifting the original recording, you only need the composition licence — not the master licence. This can reduce costs significantly.
What to Do If Your Music Is Stolen or Used Without Permission
Gather Evidence
Screenshot or record the infringing use. Note the URL, platform, date, and name of the person or organisation using your work. If broadcast, note the date, time, and channel.
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
A formal cease and desist letter (C&D) demands the infringer stop using your work immediately. MUSIGA members can access a C&D template. Send via email with read-receipt enabled.
File a DMCA / Platform Takedown (for streaming/online)
Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and most platforms have copyright infringement reporting forms. As a registered rights holder, you can request removal of infringing content within 24–72 hours.
Contact MUSIGA & Seek Legal Advice
MUSIGA members can access our IP legal helpline for a referral to an entertainment lawyer. For commercial-scale infringement, you may be entitled to damages and account of profits.
Warning: Do not publicly threaten or accuse individuals of infringement on social media before taking proper legal steps. This can complicate your case. Take official action first.
Members Only — IP Legal Helpline
Join MUSIGA to access our IP consultation service — free 30-minute initial legal consultations with entertainment lawyers on the MUSIGA panel, plus our full IP resource library.
- ✓ Cease & desist letter template
- ✓ COSGA registration guide (step-by-step)
- ✓ Sample clearance request letter template
- ✓ IP consultation referral (30 min free)
Join MUSIGA — From GHS 50/month
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