The Copyright Society of Nigeria
(COSON) had dragged Silverbird
Communications Ltd, owners of
Silverbird Television and Rhythm
FM across the country in a
lawsuit against a copyright
infringement by Silverbird. Also
joined in the suit is the
organization's Chairman, Mr. Ben
Murray Bruce.
According to the lawsuit filed at
the Federal High Court, Lagos on
July 18, 2012 by Lagos IP lawyer,
Mr. Justin Ige COSON is asking for
the award of more than three
billion naira in unpaid royalties
and damages against Silverbird
Communications Ltd and its
owners for the unauthorized
copying, broadcast and
infringement of the copyright in
the musical works and sound
recordings belonging to COSON
members, affiliates and
assignors.
Speaking on the development,
COSON Chairman, Chief Tony
Okoroji said, "We have been very
patient with music users in
Nigeria, but that has not yielded
much results. It is time people
realized that at COSON we stand
by our words.
"If anyone pushes us, we will
push back. We have opened our
doors wide and still continue to
keep them open to all who are
willing to discuss with us and
legally deploy music in their
businesses. Those who respect
us will receive respect from us.
Those who treat the music
industry with contempt will get
what they deserve''.
It will be recalled that in June,
2012, COSON instituted a billion
naira lawsuit against Globe
Broadcasting & Communications
Ltd, owners of the Wazobia FM
stations across Nigeria.
A week later, COSON filed a two
billion naira action against Steam
Broadcasting & Communications
Ltd owners of Cool FM. The
Wazobia FM action has been
resolved out of court and a big
copyright royalty agreement
signing ceremony is scheduled to
hold in Lagos between COSON
and the owners of Wazobia FM
on Monday, July 23.
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