The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has dragged Multichoice Nigeria Limited to the Federal High Court over the alleged continuous violation of its copyright.
In a recent chat with MCSN and its board, the collective society announced that it has reluctantly taken some users of music to court to demand payment of royalties
The Chairman of the Board, Orits Williki, who read the speech on behalf of the President of the Society, King Sunny Ade, said “The era of locust years was gradually brought to a halt when the due process of the law finally took over in about 2018 and in particular when the apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered judgments in two cases principally on the subject of collective administration of copyright. The judgments are in Appeal Nos. SC/366.2008 between Adeokin Records Co. & Anor vs. Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte reported in (2018) 15 NWLR (Pt.1643)550 and SC/425/2010 between Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte vs. Compact Disc Ltd & Ors reported in (2019) 4 NWLR (Pt.1661) 1. The Court of Appeal followed when it affirmed the Federal High Court judgement awarding the sum of N5.9 billion in damages in Appeal No. CA/L/188/18 between Multichoice Nigeria Limited vs. Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte”.
The society is demanding N27.3 billion for the actual use of musical works and sound recordings and N2.05 billion for Value Added Tax (VAT) due to the Federal Government of Nigeria from Multichoice Nigeria Limited, not to mention what will eventually go to the various state governments in personal income tax.
Besides Multichoice Nigeria Limited, MCSN has also sued other broadcasters who have indicated their willingness and readiness to negotiate and settle out of court and the society is happy to oblige them.
The Society also commended the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and its Director General, Dr. John Asein, in bringing about and sustaining the stable environment for the growth of copyright culture in Nigeria.
