Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has entered into a deal with Performing Right Society (PRS) of London for reciprocal representation.
Under the agreement, COSON will manage the extensive repertoire of world music controlled by PRS in Nigeria while PRS will manage collection of royalties on behalf of COSON for Nigerian music in the UK and other territories where PRS operates or through its affiliates.
The agreement is expected to last for an initial period of two years.Details of the agreement was concluded during a recent visit to London by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji.
Reacting to the development Okoroji described the agreement between COSON and PRS as proof that the world has taken notice of the significant progress COSON has made with respect to the collective management of copyright in Nigeria. Nigerian artistes can now feel confident to churn out world hits knowing that wherever in the world their music is utilized, there is a worldwide network heavily protecting their interests’’
Also highly elated, Mr Efe Omorogbe, CEO Nowmuzik and manager of several top Nigerian artistes such as 2Face Idibia, Timi Dakolo, J. Martins, Seyi Shay, Sunny Neji, Dammy Krane, Tunde & Wunmi Obe, etc said, ‘’This is wonderful! Many boasted that it could not be done. Now, it is done. Anyone who may have been trying a divide and rule tactics to thwart COSON must now come to the conclusion that the game is up. Let the music pay!’’
Besides the recent agreement signed on behalf of PRS for Music by Ms Karen Buse, Director, PRS for Music International and Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman COSON, COSON has also signed reciprocal representation agreements with several other CMOs in different parts of the world and today possesses the fastest growing global collective management network in Africa.
