COSON ACCUSES GOVT AGENCIES OF HORRENDOUS COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT

Emmanuel Ukudolo, Lagos

Nigeria, May 18, 2016 – The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has accused government agencies of engaging in horrendous copyright infringement, stressing that the development does not augur well for the entertainment industry and the economy. Chairman, COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji made the revelation at the 6th Annual General Meeting of the society in Lagos.

“For instance, the government cannot say that it wants the entertainment industry to grow the economy and yet looks the other way while government agencies engage in horrendous copyright infringement”, he said, adding that since the present government took over, COSON has repeatedly called for the activation of the private copy levy scheme provided for under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have received no reaction whatsoever from a government that says that it is interested in growing the entertainment industry”, he said.

According to him, around the continent, pirated Nigerian music dominates the airwaves and music shops.
“We believe that a government which wants to grow our entertainment industry must take interest and engage meaningfully with these nations at the diplomatic and international trade levels and ensure that these national assets are not frittered away.

“For us to play our role effectively, the government cannot pretend to understand our problems because it does not. The government must engage us closely, listen to our issues and then take action instead of just talking. In other words, the actions of the government must match its words”, he said.
Okoroji also announced the development of a very sophisticated computer system that can fully capture the documentation, distribution and financial transactions at COSON.

“Our new system called the COSONET will enable each member of the society access the records of his works with the society from the comfort of his bedroom and permit him or her to update his works when necessary from wherever he or she might be. The COSONET will also enable each member to monitor royalties accruing to him or her and generate a report of the royalties and their sources. It should also make it possible for instant royalty distribution, whether general or specific, removing the frustrating wait that some of us go through to receive our royalties”, he said. He said that with the COSONET, COSON would have achieved 100% transparency and accountability.

Reporting on the massive cases filed recently by COSON against the Federal government owned FRCN and telecommunications giant, MTN Chief Okoroji promised that more such high profile cases will be filed soon.

According to the Chairman, COSON does not go to court frivolously. In his words, “In each case that we have taken a user to court, we must have satisfied ourselves, that all none-adversarial methods of resolving the problem had been exhausted. The cases send a loud and clear message to everyone that the era of free music in Nigeria is gone”.

Chief Okoroji also Identified the factors which have resulted in the rapid growth of COSON and its ability to collect and distribute several hundreds of millions of Naira in only six years of operation as CONSISTENCY, TRANSPARENCY and STABILITY.

At the elections that took place during the AGM, four members of the Board: Mr. Joel Ajayi, Mr. Obi Asika, Mr. Efe Omorogbe and Alhaji Sikiru Agboola were returned to the Board.

Among the many top music industry stakeholders present were Afrojuju maestro, Sir Shina Peters, ace music producer, Laolu Akins the rainmaker and Nigeria reggae legend, Majek Fashek, Music Label top guns, Obi Asika and Audu Maikori, Eko ogba gbere crooner, Pa Chris Ajilo and reknowned guitarist, Feladey and amiable singer, Stella Delight among several others. The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) was also represented by Mr. Obi Ezeilo, Zonal Manager, Lagos.