COSON slams N1bn lawsuit against Wazobia FM
The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Globe Broadcasting and Communications Ltd., owners of the well-known radio stations, Wazobia FM, Cool FM and Nigeria Info and the stations’ CEO, Amin Moussalli.
In suit number FHC/L/C69S/598/12 filed
at the Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, COSON is
asking for the award of the sum of more than N1bn in unpaid royalties
and damages against Wazobia FM 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’.
In the suit which was filed by Justin Ige of Creative Legal, Seun Omotoba & Co., COSON has also asked the court for exemplary damages in the sum of N500m and aggravated damages in the sum of N250m.
COSON has also requested the radio
station also restrain from further use of musical works or sound
recordings belonging to its members, affiliates and assignors.
‘It’s a new day for the creative
industry in Nigeria. Those who have followed this process will vouch
that we have been patient with broadcast stations and commercial users
of music in Nigeria. We have not been rash. We have pleaded with them…
we have appealed and sought compromise on every front. Some users have
sincerely engaged with COSON and we have resolved their copyright issues
professionally. Some others have treated us with contempt and disdain
and behaved as if Nigeria is a nation without laws and all music found
in Nigeria is theirs to use as they wish’, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji said.
‘It is a great thing. It has been a
long time coming. This is a wakeup call to all others who are abusing
copyright in Nigeria. We have to use someone as a scape goat so all
others abusing copyright would know that it will not be business as
usual’, long-time Nigerian singer Azeezat said.
Speaking with the Chief Operating Officer of Wazobia FM, Evita Moussalli, she says; ’We have already engaged our lawyers and as the matter is in court I choose not to comment’.