Steps toward curbing piracy
In October, the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (“MCSN”) and the Broadcast Organization of Nigeria (“BON”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), which is aimed at strengthening the recognition and protection of copyright in the nation’s broadcasting industry. With piracy being a significant problem in Nigeria, affecting not just the compensation due to copyright owners, but also significantly impacting the supply chain, the MOU establishes not only a mutual understanding but seeks to balance broadcasters’ rights and responsibilities under the Copyright Act, while also establishing a framework for dealing with licensing and fair and equitable royalty payments for copyright owners.
In addition to this landmark agreement, and piracy resulting in significant harm to the industry, Multichoice, with the support of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, has embarked on an anti-piracy sensitisation programme, aimed at educating Nigeria’s youth that piracy is not a victimless crime.
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