COSON Issues Ultimatum on Hotels over Non-payment of Royalties

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has issued a two- week ultimatum to Nigerian hotels demanding payment of royalties for music played by them.

A statement issued on yesterday in Abuja by Mayree Uket, the Society’s Senior Executive, News Media, , said that defaulters would be sanctioned.

It said that the December 2012 agreement on music copyright rates between COSON and Hotels and Personal Services Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) was still in force.

It quoted Chinedu Chukwuji, COSON’s General Manager, as saying that “anyone who thinks that COSON is joking about this has to be ready for the full force of COSON’’.

“We have a good relationship with HOPESEA leadership and with the leadership of other associations like Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA).

“These organisations held us down to serious negotiations that lasted about two years.

“The leadership of HOPESEA got a rate on behalf of their members which is the lowest rate anyone can get anywhere in the world.

The statement noted that some hotel owners appear not to appreciate what their leadership had done, adding that anyone familiar with COSON would know that “we do not say what we will not do’’.

“We are determined to take on the recalcitrant hotels full blast; we have been very patient but now we will employ the full instruments of the law.’’

The statement urged hotel operators to adhere to the agreement.