How old were you when you found out that it is illegal to use images of the Kenyan currency notes, whether current or historical, without first seeking the approval of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)?
Oh you didn’t know?
Well the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced that it is illegal to publish photos or videos of the country’s currency without prior permission from the financial institution.
I’m a notice which was published recently, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) cautioned individuals in Kenya against taking photos of bank notes or posing with the money in photos or videos, saying it is illegal.
Anyone found misusing the bank notes, risks paying a fine of 100,000 Kenyan Shillings or more for mishandling the notes as stipulated in Central Bank of Kenya (Currency Handling) Regulations, 2010 and the latest notice released by Regulator.
Since the announcement and release of the new banknotes, most Kenyans have been excited and are quick to share their ‘first new notes” online oblivious of the risk.
A section of Legal Notice No. 124 posted on the twitter account of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reads, “Any person who wishes to use cash or images of cash in any publication or for any other purpose shall apply in writing to the Bank for approval,”.
The notice stated further that, “No person shall use cash or images of cash, current or historical, for publication or promotional or any other purposes other than as currency without the prior written approval of the bank,”.
Individuals who wish to use the banknotes must first apply and provide the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) with information, as well as reasons as to why they want to use the notes and for what purpose(s).
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) states that, “full names and address of the applicant, nationality of the applicant, information relating to the manner and purpose for which the images are intended to be used, and specimen of the works over which such use is intended and a declaration that the intended use would not infringe on the Bank’s copyright over the cash.”
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will then take 14 days to decide whether to allow or decline the request before giving feedback in writing.
The notice also makes it known that, “The CBK’s decision shall be final and the Bank shall not be obliged to render the reasons upon which any decision was reached.”.
