Copyright and Takedown Policy

Last updated: 5 August 2026

Akumudzi Bwaiz respects copyright and accepts music only from artists, owners or authorised representatives. We do not own a song merely because it is hosted on our website.

1. Submission requirements

Before publication, we may require:

original master and artwork files;
legal and stage names;
producer, songwriter, composer and featured-artist credits;
master and composition ownership percentages;
beat licences, sample clearances, cover-song or remix permissions;
artwork creator permission;
territory and licence term;
COSOMA information where available; and
a signed rights declaration and authority to host, stream, download or sell the work.

Master and composition splits are recorded separately and must each total 100 percent.

2. Reasons we may refuse or suspend content

We may refuse, suspend or remove content where:

ownership cannot be shown;
an audio file contains another website's tag;
artwork appears copied or unauthorised;
a beat, sample, remix or cover permission is missing;
contributor information is contradictory;
an exact duplicate master exists under different ownership information;
a credible complaint is received; or
publication may breach law, provider rules or platform policy.

3. Making a complaint

A claimant should use the official copyright-claim form and provide:

full name and contact details;
the copyrighted work being claimed;
the exact Akumudzi Bwaiz URL or material affected;
the claimant's ownership or authority;
supporting evidence;
a clear explanation of the alleged infringement;
the action requested; and
a truthful declaration that the information is accurate.

The evidence should not contain unnecessary private information.

4. Interim action and review

A credible complaint may cause temporary suspension of streaming, downloads, sales and advertising while we review the matter. We may contact the uploader and request licences, agreements, source files or other evidence.

The uploader may respond or submit a counter-notice. We keep an audit record of the complaint, evidence, response, decision and any restoration or removal.

5. Decisions

We may restore content where the complaint is withdrawn, authority is demonstrated or the parties reach a documented resolution. We may keep content offline where ownership remains uncertain.

Akumudzi Bwaiz is not a court and cannot finally determine complex ownership disputes. Parties may need to obtain legal advice, a COSOMA process, an agreement or a court decision.

6. False claims and repeat abuse

Knowingly false documents, fraudulent claims and repeated infringement may result in account suspension, withheld processing, removal from the platform and referral to the appropriate authority.

7. COSOMA and other licences

Direct permission from an artist is important, but it may not replace every collective-management, public-performance, communication, mechanical or reporting requirement that applies to the platform or a downstream user. We will seek confirmation from COSOMA for the final operating model.