First Bank on Trial over Copyright Violation  

COSON is asking the Federal High Court to award against First Bank the sum of N700 million as royalties and damages for copyright infringement with respect to unauthorized use of several musical works and sound recordings communicated to the public and exploited as marketing, promotional and advertising materials contained in First Bank’s video presentation, Sights and Sounds of Carnival Calabar.

Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba  of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, commenced the trial on Tuesday.

Bearing testimony for the suit,  Mr.Chinedu Okereke who identified himself as a journalists and worker at COSON said that the Calabar Carnival has developed into an international event.

Asked if he knew how much First Bank has gained as a result of its deployment of Sights and Sounds of Carnival Calabar, he said that while he could not quantify the exact amount gained by First Bank as a result of its deployment of Sights & Sounds of Carnival Calabar, he was sure that it has added value to the bank.

In the Suit No. FHC/CS/L/530/2014, COSON had said that  First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. did not apply for or secure a license or any authorization whatsoever before exploiting, communicating to the public, publishing and deploying the musical works and sound recordings of the members of COSON and COSON’s assignors as included in, reproduced and contained in the video, Sights and Sounds of Carnival Calabar deployed by First Bank in its marketing, promotion and advertising and posted on the internet.

The trial has been  adjourned to April 22, 2015.