COSON Pays N250m to Music Right Owners

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) said it has paid N250 million to over 100 music right owners in the country between September 2010 and September 2015.

Chinedu Chukwuji, COSON’s general manager, who disclosed this said that the money was royalty due to the musicians from their works over the years.

“COSON gave out N250million to music right owners for their works. The money was given to compensate them for their talent and creativity in producing songs.

“The money is usually given at the end of each year. It is not all the artistes that benefited from the money but the ones that people listen to most, “Chukwuji said.

He said that over 100 music artistes had benefited from the royalty in the last five years.

“The era of artistes not being paid for their creativity has passed. This is a new era where commercial users need to pay for the music used in promoting their business.

“Restaurants, club houses, television and radio stations make use of artiste’s songs to promote their businesses and attract customers’ patronage.

“But, the music right owners didn’t benefit from such money but, the reverse is the case now. Artistes need to enjoy from the fruit of their labour, “he said.

He stressed that COSON was determined to end the many years of friction between the entertainment industry and the key users of music in the country.

Chukwuji said that the money was given to them to encourage their creativity and also to boost their morale in their profession.

“The royalty given to them goes a long way to boost their capacity in their chosen career.

“Some of the artistes were discouraged in the past due to financial challenges but with COSON’s intervention in the music industry, It has taken a new shape, ‘’the general manager said.