MERRY CHRISTMAS

My CMO and Me

The silence was deafening for a moment, the atmosphere thick with emotion during a media parley when the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) paid a visit to Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON). The heart rendering information had just spread round that the works of the late Sir Nico Mbarga could not be found anywhere in the database of musical works around the world. Simply put, Sir Nico Mbarga while alive received little or nothing as music copyright royalties for his music exploited at home and abroad and that includes the monumental hit song Sweet Mother. The use of his works could not be tracked and so royalties he should have earned were never realized even though his works were massively exploited internationally. Sadly Sir Nico Mbarga, whose works turned many businesses into gold mines, could not be referred to as wealthy; even though his creative works when put together were equivalent to a gold mine. Ironic, isn’t it?

This, sad as it may be, has been the story of many music right owners in Nigeria for as long as can be told. Sad tales of enriching the businesses of many others and yet being unable to fend for themselves.

What is a CMO?

When it pertains to music copyright, the acronym CMO represents a collective management organization (kindly note that CMOs are not limited to music, they can be set up for other areas of copyright such as literary, cinematography, broadcast, etc).The concept of Collective Management of copyright in music is described as the link between creators or owners of music and users of such works. CMOs are  stand-in for the copyright owners.

The benefits of a CMO to a music copyright owner/holder and user cannot be over emphasized. Imagine that Tuface Idibia with all the music hits to his credit decides to collect royalties due to him from all users of his works. He will have to journey to all the licensed broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs and other such users within and outside Nigeria where his works are used. He will monitor their individual use of his works, negotiate with them and work out a tariff and payment plan with each of the users. One thing is certain; Tuface Idibia will spend practically all his productive life chasing after users of his works and no time to create any more of the good music for which he is well loved.

Obiwon and wife welcome new daughter

Nigerian singer Obiwon and wife Nkechi welcomed a daughter into their lives on September 4.
Obiwon is known for the hit songs Onyinye, Obi mu o.

Congratulations to the couple from all of us at COSON. 

NO MUSIC DAY, 2012 - MUSIC INDUSTRY CALLS FOR PRESIDENT JONATHAN’S ORDER ON INTERVENTION FUND

The Nigerian Music Industry Coalition has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to give immediate marching orders to the organizations and individuals managing the Entertainment Industry Intervention Fund to take urgent steps to ensure that the fund begins to have impact on the employment situation in the creative industries in Nigeria.

Addressing the media on ‘The State of the Nigerian Music Industry’ as part of  the events of NO MUSIC DAY 2012, marked on September 1, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, said, ‘Once again, on the critical issue of funding, there is growing disappointment and peculating conclusion that both the Growth in Employment in States Fund (GEMS) and the Entertainment Industry Intervention Fund announced by President Goodluck Jonathan two years ago, which created so much initial buzz, will end up as another big disappointment and seen as sad political gimmicks. As we mark No Music Day today, we call on President Jonathan to order the Bank of Industries (BOI), the Nigerian Export & Import Bank (NEXIM), the Federal Ministry of Commerce & Investments and everyone connected with the funds to do what is necessary to make sure that they begin to have impact on the industry and help to create the badly needed employment. Presently, the more we look, the less we see.’

NO MUSIC DAY is a day set aside on September 1 of every year by the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition, a coalition of the key national associations in the Nigerian music industry,  to draw attention to the massive abuse of the rights of composers, song writers, performers, music publishers and other stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry. NO MUSIC DAY, 2012 was the fourth in the series since its creation in 2009.

Brand Endorsements, Public Performances Not Enough for Progress of Music In Nigeria - Mr. Kazie Uko

Mr. Kazie Uko of Skkot Plus Nigeria Ltd

Chief Executive Officer of Skkot Plus Nigeria Ltd, Consultants to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Mr. Kazie Uko has said that the growth of the music industry in Nigeria depends largely on the royalties right owners receive from their investments and not just on public performances at musical concerts or on brand endorsements.

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DSTV SUBSCRIPTION NOT THE SAME AS COPYRIGHT PAYMENT - OKOROJI TELLS HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

Tony Okoroji

Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji has said that the payment of DSTV subscription by hotel and restaurant owners in Nigeria is not the same as payment for music copyright. He made this known while addressing a cross section of the press at the recent licensing agreement signing ceremony between COSON and MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of DSTV, which took place at the exquisite Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

Said Chief Okoroji, “I am informed that someone has misled owners of hotels, restaurants and similar public establishments that the payment of their DSTV subscription authorizes them to freely play music to their customers and to the general public. There is no better place to state publicly that the payment of subscription to receive the first class signals from DSTV is not the same as a copyright licence to communicate music and sound recordings to the general public. Hotels, restaurants and similar establishments which have not done so should get in touch with COSON without delay”. Chief Okoroji also clarified that individuals who subscribe to DSTV and do not use the subscription in a business or public setting need no copyright licence for the full enjoyment by themselves, families or friends of the music and sound recordings received.

COSON SIGNS LICENSING DEAL WITH MULTICHOICE

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nations sole Collective Management Organization for musical works and sound recordings has signed a landmark multimillion Naira royalty agreement with Multichoice Nigeria, operators of DSTV. The agreement signing ceremony which held at the regal Oriental Hotel in Lagos earlier on in the week grants MultiChoice the licence to broadcast music on its various platforms.

(L-R) Chinedu Chukwuji, Azeezat Allen, Adewale Ayuba, Tony Okoroji, Matthew Ojo, Mr. John 

L-R:  Chinedu Chukwuji, Matthew Ojo, Tony Okoroji and John Ugbe

L-R:  Chinedu Chukwuji, Matthew Ojo, Tony Okoroji and John Ugbe

In his address at the event witnessed by a cross section of the Nigerian media and members of the COSON Board and management, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji assured music owners of COSON's commitment to ensuring that the music pays. He said, "You will recall that two years ago when COSON was approved by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, we made a solemn pledge to do whatever it takes to defend the rights of those who create or invest in music in Nigeria. We swore before you to end the many years of the locust. We said that whatever it takes, we

will make collective management of copyright work in Nigeria… for two years COSON has worked round the clock and been everywhere at the same time. I have been asked whether COSON ever sleeps and I said no. COSON can't afford to sleep until the abuse of the copyright in music and sound recordings are ended in Nigeria. Even then, COSON will not sleep".

Chief Okoroji said that the deal with MultiChoice was one of the many steps COSON has taken in ensuring that it delivers on the promise made to the thousands of music owners it represents and commended MultiChoice Nigeria for complying with law. Said Chief Okoroji, "I want to thank the Multichoice Staff and Management, especially the Managing Director, Mr. John Ugbe. I can't recall how many times John and Gozie Onumonu were at the COSON office in Ikeja, the countless hours of negotiations and the many road blocks we worked together to remove to make this possible. They have shown Multichoice to be a socially responsible organization and I commend them for their never-say-die spirit".

Chief Okoroji also encouraged users of music to take a cue from the Management of MultiChoice Nigeria saying "All public and commercial users of music do not have to wait for a law suit before they contact COSON and obtain their licence to use music in public".

WIPO SECOND COMING TO COSON

Mr. Simon Ouedraogo, WIPO Senior Advisor, Chief Tony Okoroji
 and Mr. Boukary Sawadogo, WIPO Consultant

A new technical mission of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Geneva based UN specialized agency for Intellectual property around the world, arrived the country over the weekend to provide Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the technological framework to improve on its capacity to carry out its mandate as the nation’s sole government approved collective management organization.

COSON WELCOMES CISAC BOSS TO NIGERIA

The headquarters of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) was very busy this past week as the society played host to one of the gurus of copyright collective management in the world, Mr. Robert Hooijer.

Mr. Hooijer, former Chief Executive Officer of South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO) and who until recently was the Acting CEO of the Paris based International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) was in Nigeria on a two day working visit to COSON.

Receiving Mr. Hooijer at the COSON office in Lagos, the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, told the CISAC boss that COSON is proud to be an important part of the great CISAC family represented in 121 countries of the world and that COSON is determined to be a model Collective Management Organization and that nothing is being spared to make COSON one of the most effective CMOs in the African continent within the shortest possible time.

LOVE AT COSON AS VINCENT ADAWAISI WEDS IN STYLE

There were celebrations around Copyright Society of Nigeria the weekend of Saturday the 11^th of February as Mr. Vincent Adawaisi, COSON’s Head of Datatech invited friends and well wishers to the Assemblies of God Church, GRA Apapa to bear witness as he said “I do” to his belle Miss Charity Iheadindueme.

Prominent members of the COSON family present included the Society’s Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji; Acting General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji and Head of Finance and Administration Ms. Bernice Eremeghe. Also present were members of the COSON board such as Mr. Laolu Akins, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie and friends of COSON like ace broadcaster, Mr. Patrick Doyle and Mr. Rasak Izebe.

COSON AGM IN PICTURES

SINGING AND DANCING IN LAGOS AS COSON DISTRIBUTES MILLIONS TO MUSICIANS

Members performing at the AGM event

The premises of the National Theatre in Lagos wore a festive look on Tuesday, December 13 as musicians of all shades and key players in the music industry came from different corners of the country for the 1st Annual General Meeting of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole approved collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings.

Among the array of stars present at the venue were octogenarian musicians Chris Ajilo, Emmanuel Ntia and Fatai Rolling Dollar and Nigeria’s biggest reggae stars of all times, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Black O’ Rice, etc. There were the likes of  Zule Zoo, Baba Dee, Daddy Fresh, Onyeka Onwenu, Stella Monye, Kenny Saint Brown, Azzizat, Arthquake, Frank D’ Nero, Adewale Ayuba, Tony Grey, etc. Industry big wigs such as Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, managers of Tuface Idibia, Sunny Neji, TWO, Timi Dakolo, etc was there. So was Sunday Are of Mohits All Stars who manages D’ Banj, Wande Cole, Dr. Sid, etc. There was also renowned drummer, and producer Laolu Akins; Charles Novia of November Records; Toju Ejueyitchie of Premier Records; Joel Ajavi of Gospel Choral Records, John Ewelukwa Udegbunam, National President of MORAN and former President of Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), Rev. Shola Rotimi who flew in from the United States. Former PMAN Secretary-General Okuoimose Emmanuel Okuoimose was there while the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude was represented by three of his top officials led by Mr. Chris Nkwocha.     

COSON Directors and members at the high table

In his more than 30 minutes speech which received intermittent applause and a standing ovation at the end, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji traced the multiple successes of COSON in its short period of existence. In the words of Chief Okoroji, “I was told that COSON would never be registered by the government and indeed significant steps were taken to block the registration of COSON. Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (COSON) was on December 9, 2009 registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja. I was told that COSON would never be approved as a CMO. Indeed, a huge amount of money was spread around to ensure that COSON was not approved. On May 20, 2010, COSON was given the certificate of approval by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to be Nigeria’s sole government licensed collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings. I was told that COSON would never be admitted into the membership of the International Confederation of Authors Societies (CISAC).  Indeed a significant international campaign was mounted to stop COSON from being so admitted. On June 24, 2011, news came from Paris, France that COSON had been admitted to the membership of CISAC.

A Cross section of members at the AGM

“Today, the wings of COSON are spreading fast across the globe and our activities are being significantly supported by our partners in Geneva where the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has its headquarters; in Oslo where the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) operates from; in Harare where the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has its headquarters and across many nations in every continent of the world where CISAC has member societies”. 

Chief Okoroji said that it has since been a period of indescribable wall to wall activity fueled by unquenchable self belief and that COSON has become the affirmation of two maxims: where there is a will, there is a way and together we stand, divided we fall. Said Okoroji, “I can say with deep conviction that in the east, west, north and south of Nigeria today, among the young, old or middle aged in our industry, COSON has become a game changer as artistes across the country have become inspired by the COSON slogan, “Let the music pay!”

The highlight of the meeting was the announcement by Chief Okoroji that in keeping with the promise earlier made by the Board, the sum of N25,720,588.20 (Twenty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Five Hundred Eighty Eight Naira, Twenty Kobo) was available for immediate distribution to all members of COSON whose names can be found on the society’s register as at May 19, 2011, if so approved by the AGM. The scheme was indeed approved by the members and the distribution started at the venue amidst singing, dancing and jubilation as hundreds of musicians stood in line, collected their royalties peacefully and thanked the Almighty for witnessing the day when such could happen in Nigeria.

Also at the AGM was Mr. Chinedu Angus Chukwuji, COSON’s Acting General Manager, who had just arrived the country from a five month overseas study programme. Also present was Ms. Bernice Eriemeghe, COSON’s Head of Finance & Administration who acted on behalf of Mr. Chukwuji in his absence.  Several artistes performed at the event which ended like a carnival.