COSON/BON/IBAN Officially Sign Music Copyright Agreement

History was made on May 21 when COSON, IBAN and BON officially ended their feud and signed a music copyright agreement. The feuding parties reached an amicable agreement after the intervention of the NCC and NBC who formed a joint committee with all the parties involved.

Both parties were duely represented; for the board of COSON Mr. Joel Ajayi, Hon John Ewelukwa Udegbunam, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola and General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, while on the Broadcast arm was National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba; Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude; Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa who is also Chairman of the 400 member Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria.

Other stakeholders at the meeting were Ms. Julie Coker; Hon H.A.B. Fasinro of Smooth FM; Mr Larry Izamoje of Brila FM; Mr. Deji Awokoya of Beat FM, Classic FM and Naija FM; Ms. Evita Mousalli of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Naija Info FM, Mr. Adetunji Majeed of NTA, Lagbaja,  Ras Kimono,  Azzezat, Daddy Fresh, KSB, Edi Lawani, Efe Omorogbe and Patrick Doyle

The signing ceremony signals a paradigm shift in the Nigerian music industry and it was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

NOW MUZIK COMMENDS NCC

NOW MUZIK COMMENDS NCC

 

The management of Now Muzik on behalf of our esteemed clients (2face Idibia, Faze, Timi Dakolo, Crystals, D'Beat, Sunny Neji, J. Martins) and staff wishes to voice its support of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)’s decisive action towards tackling the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) issue.

 

When we made our decision to work with other stakeholders in 2009 to collectively sponsor ONE application for a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) license, MCSN rejected our overtures and put in its own application. Conventional wisdom suggested that in accordance with Nigerian law, any organization that failed to obtain the license would seek out ways to further its interest within the confines of legality.

 

MCSN's flagrant disregard of the law and the attendant confusion it has generated has considerably reduced the pace of development within the industry. We had indeed, come to the point where questions were been raised about the usefulness of the long-drawn approval process if indeed, no organization needed government approval to act in the capacity of a collecting society.

 

The NCC's move has restored our confidence in the ability and willingness of government to enforce compliance with the law in furtherance of the drive towards the creation of best possible environment for the development of a vibrant and world class creative industry.

 

We salute the courage of the DG, Mr. Afam Ezekude and the staff of the commission and pledge our unflinching support to them for the good work they are doing.

 

Signed:

 

Efe Omorogbe

CEO, Now Muzik