The National Film Authority (NFA) has cautioned channel owners and media houses against broadcasting movies without authorisation from copyright owners.

According to the authority, movies and films are protected copyright works under Ghanaian law, and the creator or copyright owner holds exclusive rights to their usage.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the Chief Executive of the authority, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, on June 19.

The NFA noted that it had received numerous complaints from film distributors worldwide about the unapproved broadcasting of movies by media houses without permission from the creators or copyright owners.

In light of this, the authority said that any terrestrial channel owner or media house intending to broadcast a movie must obtain the necessary authorisation or license from the creator or copyright owner.

"Broadcasting/airing a movie or film without authorisation from the creator/copyright owner constitutes a copyright infringement which attracts both civil and criminal liabilities.

“It is therefore advised that all terrestrial channel owners or media houses conduct assessments of all movies or films currently being broadcasted or aired on their respective channels and verifications carried out to ensure that requisite authorisations to broadcast particular movies or films have been obtained from the creators/copyright owners concerned,” part of the statement read.

The NFA said if the assessment reveals the absence of proper authorisation, the concerned channel owners or media houses must immediately cease broadcasting the movie or film until permission is obtained.