Approval Of COSON By Copyright Commission Aligns With FG's Agenda- AGF

ABUJA, July 20, (THEWILL), - The approval given to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) by Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) as the sole Collective Management Organization (CMO) for music and sound recordings in Nigeria is in line with the development objectives of the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Muhammed Bello Adoke, SAN, who disclosed this in Abuja today, stated that COSON’s approval was effected under his authority, adding that the measure is part of Government’s efforts to support the creative community to earn more remuneration and strengthen the system of rights management in the country.

At a Select Stakeholders’ Forum organized by COSON, the Justice Minister who was represented by the Director General of NCC Adebambo Adewopo, stated that the approval of COSON signals Nigeria’s determination to guarantee respect for the intellectual property of both citizens and foreign creators whose works are being used in Nigeria.

According to him, the sole collective management organization model is not a Nigerian invention. "This is a model practiced in many countries because of the unique nature of the collective management of copyright," he pointed out.

Adewopo who declared the forum open, remarked that he is satisfied with the thoroughness of the reform process of collective administration for musical works and sound recordings instituted by the Commission.

He called on stakeholders in the nation’s music industry to close ranks by using the platform provided by the newly approved CMO for music and sound recordings, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) as the spring board for launching the industry to a greater level of creativity and prosperity.

While recalling the checkered history of collective management of copyright in the nation’s music industry and the difficulty in instituting a model acceptable to everyone, he emphasized, "The reality is that there is not one model that will satisfy all shades of opinion.

"I therefore urge every well meaning stakeholder in the music industry to find a place of pride in the current system and make it work for the collective good of all."

The Attorney General of the Federation observed that collective administration of copyright is designed to serve the interests of copyright owners, adding that it also makes it possible for users of copyright protected works to easily and legally access the works they need, which would help the industry in avoiding costly disputes, litigation and the confusion of the past.

He admonished COSON that the only way in which it could help make the new CMO regime sustainable is by serving as an all-inclusive, accountable and transparent platform that would empower the creative community it represents.

Commending the initiative of the forum, the Minister of Justice remarked that continuous engagement among stakeholders and the citizenry in a peaceful manner is a hallmark of democracy as replicated in the forum.

In his remarks, the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji said following the society’s approval as the sole CMO for music and sound recordings, COSON realized that it is appropriate to have an interactive session across the country so that all the stakeholders would understand their different roles in the new collective management environment resulting from the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s reform process.

"We want to ensure that users of copyright works understand how to obtain genuine copyright license that protects them from continuous harassment and unending litigation of the past," he stated.

The society’s Chairman further remarked that "COSON is determined to be a first class professional organization, and in our operations, both the interest of the copyright owner and the users of copyright works will be taken into consideration."