Court fixes March 3 for Ruling on MTN's Copyright Infringement Case

Federal High Court Abuja has fixed March 3 to decide whether or not it will try MTN Nigeria and Ferdi Moolman, chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN, for alleged copyright infringement.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba fixed the date at the Thursday hearing in a charge filed against MTN and Moolman over alleged infringement on copies of the musical works of an Abuja based musician, Dovie Omenuwoma-Eniwo (aka Baba 2010).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), last year, filed the two-count-charge against MTN and Moolman, sequel to a petition filed by Baba 2010.

However, following a report of settlement between MTN and Baba 2010 over the infringement, their lawyers Mena Ajakpoui and Rockson Igelige had respectively asked for the withdrawal of the charge by NCC.

Mr Abdul-Ter Kohol, lawyer to NCC and the commission’s Director of Prosecution, however said the fact that the crime had been committed and the restitution provided by the alleged offenders (MTN and Moolman) was not a barrier to their prosecution.

The court therefore adjourned to decide whether or not the compensation paid to Baba 2010 by the accused persons over the alleged infringement was adequate to stop NCC from prosecuting MTN and Moolman.