Copyright Society of Nigeria (Coson), the nation’s sole collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings has filed a copyright infringement action against Silverbird Communications Ltd, owners of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM.
According to the lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos on July 18, 2012 by Lagos IP lawyer, Justin Ige of Creative Legal, Seun Omotoba & Co, Coson is asking for the award of more than three billion Naira in unpaid royalties and damages against Silverbird Communications Ltd and its owners for the unauthorized copying, broadcast and infringement of the copyright in the musical works and sound recordings belonging to Coson members, affiliates and assignors.
Speaking on the development, Chief Tony Okoroji, Coson Chairman said: “We have been very patient with music users in Nigeria, but that has not yielded much result. It is time people realized that at Coson we stand by our words. We are committed to the defence of the rights of the music industry in Nigeria no matter what it takes. If anybody pulls at us, we will pull back. If anyone pushes us, we will push back.
We have opened our doors wide and still continue to keep them open to all who are willing to discuss with us and legally deploy music in their businesses. Those who respect us will receive respect from us. Those who treat the music industry with contempt will get what they deserve.”
Chinedu Chukwuji, general manager at Coson while reacting on the development, said,
“I have said it before and I will say it again, Coson is not joking. We are a responsible organization and we have the mandate of our members to deliver to them what is their due in terms of royalties. We have used all forms of moral persuasion in getting music users to act responsibly in accordance with the law but that has proven not to work.
“Let me advice those who up till now have blatantly refused to get a licence from Coson and continue to broadcast music unlawfully to act responsibly and approach Coson for the appropriate licence they require. No user of music is hidden from Coson. We will not rest until each user complies and the music industry obtains a just reward for its investment.”
It would be recalled that in June, 2012, Coson instituted a billion naira lawsuit against Globe Broadcasting & Communications Ltd, owners of the Wazobia FM stations across Nigeria. A week later, Coson filed a two billion naira action against Steam Broadcasting & Communications Ltd owners of Cool FM. The Wazobia FM action has been resolved out of court.