COSON Prepares for Showdown with Sheraton, Le Meridian, Oriental Hotels

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) is currently warming up for a showdown with Hotels operating in Nigeria for refusing to pay royalties on use of music.

A statement signed by COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji warned that anyone who thinks that the organisation is joking should be prepared to face the full force of COSON, adding that negotiated rates agreed with the hotels are already with the leadership of Hotel and Personal Services Association of Nigeria.
“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 the HOPESEA leadership and with the leadership of other associations like Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA).

“These organizations 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. Some of the hotels appear not to appreciate what their leadership has done. Anyone familiar with COSON knows 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 said.

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Chukwuji explained that while some hotels have complied, many are yet to. According to him, the recalcitrant hotels include Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Bolingo Hotels and Towers, Abuja, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Golden Tulip, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Imo Concorde Hotel & Casino, Owerri, Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Nike Lake Resort, Enugu among others.
He said the affected hotels have two weeks to comply or be ready for a fight.