December 19, 2014 – Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has called on all musicians and other stakeholders in the creative industry to begin an immediate boycott of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The decision to begin the boycott was unanimously ratified by the hundreds of COSON members who thronged Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 for the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting of COSON during which N90 million was distributed to musicians.
“The boycott is predicated on the fact that Lagos Oriental Hotel is infringing the copyright of members and affiliates of COSON as it has failed despite repeated requests, to license its facilities for the use of musical works and sound recordings as required by law.
“This is in contrast with other major hotels operating in the same environment such as Eko Hotel & Suites; Intercontinental Lagos; Protea Ikeja; Raddison Blue; Southern Sun; Federal Palace Hotel; Wheat Baker Hotel ; Golden Tulip; Lagos Airport Hotel, Rockview Hotel, Sheraton Abuja, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Valencia Hotel Abuja, Chelsea Hotel Abuja, Amber Residence Ikeja, Protea Hotel Maitama, Protea Hotel Victoria Island, Protea Hotel Select Emotan, etc all of which are licensed by COSON”, it said.
It noted that one of the consequences of the boycott is that Nigerian musicians may no longer attend or perform at any event at Lagos Oriental Hotel including the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) billed to hold at the Grand Ballroom of the hotel on December 27, 2014.
“Already, both the organizers of AFRIMA and owners of Lagos Oriental Hotel have been informed by COSON of this development.
“Members of COSON also unanimously decided to back the boycott of recalcitrant organizations with the massive picketing by musicians of such establishments”, COSON said.
Speaking at the event, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said it was decided at the last meeting that COSON and all its members begin an active boycott of all hotels and event venues who have failed to obtain copyright licences for the music deployed in their establishments.
“This is necessary to send the message to one and all that we mean business and that there will be consequences to those who do not respect their obligations to us. I hereby call on all our members to heed this decision of the Board and stay away from those places where they have no respect for us.
Please remember that we continue to be in a historic struggle and that we must make the necessary sacrifice for the success of the struggle”.
