COSON TO BEGIN HEAVY LITIGATION AGAINST COPYRIGHT INFRINGERS IN OYO, ONDO, OGUN, OSUN, EKITI AND KWARA STATES.

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has resolved to commence heavy litigation against copyright infringers and royalty defaulters in Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Kwara States of Nigeria. This was one of the key resolutions at the COSON Stakeholder’s forum which took place in majestic style on Thursday September 8, 2016 at the Kakanfo Conference Centre, in Ibadan, Oyo State with key music industry players from the South Western States such as Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Kwara States in attendance.

Also present at the historic Forum was the representative of Governor Abiola Ajimobi the Oyo State Governor, in the person of the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Toye Arulogun.

Among the veterans and top music figures of the music industry who were live in Ibadan for the forum were the likes of GOMAN President, Dr Funmi Aragbaye; Afro Juju Pioneer, Sir Shina Peters, Dancehall Star, Baba Dee Fasasi, Queen of love Azeezat Allen; Comedian cum singer, Koffi ‘tha guru’ Idowu Noel; Fuji Music Maestro, Alhaji Sikiru ‘S.K’ Agboola; and Ace Gospel Music Artiste, Lady Evangelist Bola Are.

Also present were Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Entertainment; Pastor Olusoji Adedeji who represented the Olubadan of Ibadan; members of Music Label Owners and Recording Industries Association of Nigeria (MORAN), Members of the Association of DJ’s, several broadcasters and broadcasting stations, with several Hotel representatives and music users across the South West and Kwara State.

While welcoming participants to the forum, celebrated former President of PMAN, Intellectual Property activist and Chairman of the COSON Board, Chief Tony Okoroji, thanked the people and government of Oyo State for the warm welcome accorded the COSON team in Ibadan. He specifically thanked the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji for the great reception accorded the COSON team in his palace. He also thanked the renowned singer, Yinka Ayefele who was the first to welcome the team to the ancient city. Chief Okoroji said that the forum had been organized so that participants in the music industry from the South West and Kwara State can interact, have an open discussion on the copyright issues in the country and plot strategies for a better economy for creative people in Nigeria.

The COSON Chairman repeated his call for an intellectual property revolution in Nigeria so that the creative, cultural and inventive capacity of the Nigerian people can be fired up for a new knowledge economy, based on Nigeria’s well known ingenuity. He further stated that it was time the nation switched its attention from oil and gas and instead focused on the creative sector where according to him, the country has substantial comparative advantage. He noted that most of the world’s richest economies today have their foundation in knowledge, creativity and intellectual property which Nigeria is endowed with.

Speaking at the forum, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun commended COSON for the time, efforts and resources deployed towards the forum. Mr. Arulogun also encouraged COSON to intensify the efforts as wider awareness is needed to reach the nooks and crannies of the state and Nigeria at large.

The Honorable Commissioner expressed support for COSON, stating that the government would help in the fight against copyright infringement in the state. Mr. Toye Arulogun also advised COSON to partner with Government at the Federal, State and Local levels to ensure full compliance with the payment of royalties and enforcement of the law on defaulters.

After the boisterous interactive session, the forum resolved that unrelenting legal action be taken to ensure that all recalcitrant organizations who deploy music in their businesses in Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Kwara States of Nigeria without any copyright license, including broadcasting stations, hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, transport companies, product promoters, etc. are taught a lesson and forced to obtain music copyright licenses from COSON and pay necessary royalties to ensure that COSON members in these states get commensurate income from the exploitation of their works.

It was also resolved that necessary action be taken to ensure that the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari gives appropriate directives to implement the resolutions taken on September 1 which form the ‘No Music Day’ 2016 demands, including the implementation of the Private Copy Levy Scheme, so as to kick start the process of providing the right environment for the creation of investments, jobs and growth in the Nigerian economy.

Speaking after the forum, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “The COSON Stakeholders’ Forum in Ibadan was a huge success. The reception of the Oyo people, the participation and response were simply overwhelming. We look forward to more visits to this state as was clamored for during the forum’’

Following the Forum, the COSON team was at the University of Ibadan where a historic open forum was held with the students and lecturers.

Also on the COSON team to Ibadan were Board members, Hon John Ewelukwa Udegbunam and Mr. Joel Ajayi.

          

THE OLUBADAN OF IBADAN HOSTS COSON IN PREPARATION FOR THE STAKEHOLDERS FORUM

The royal palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji was a beehive of activities on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 as the leadership of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) invaded the ancient city of Ibadan for the Stakeholder’s Forum scheduled to hold in the state on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the prestigious Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan.

The visit by the team to the revered palace of the Olubadan was led by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, and included several COSON Directors, namely: Azeezat Allen, Baba Dee Fasasi, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola, Mr Joel Ajayi, and joined by ace comedian cum artiste, Koffi Idowu Noel.

Addressing His Majesty, Chief Okoroji stated that the team had come to pay homage to the king before embarking on the big forum in the state. He also used the opportunity to convey the well wishes of the Nigerian music industry.

Chief Okoroji went further to say that despite the nation facing serious trials due to the economic situation; the creative energy of the Nigerian people represents a way out for our economy. The COSON Chairman called for a creative and intellectual property revolution in Nigeria, so that the creative, cultural and inventive capacity of the Nigerian people can be fired up for a new knowledge economy, based on Nigeria’s well known ingenuity. The Chairman also informed His Royal Majesty that after the stakeholder’s forum, the COSON team will be at the University of Ibadan on Friday, September 9, 2016 to engage with the students on the features of the new knowledge economy. The event which will take place at the Faculty Arts, Library building is being greatly anticipated.

In response to the speech of Chief Okoroji, the Olubadan, HRM Oba Saliu Adetunji took time out to commend COSON for the tremendous work that the society is doing, while also reminding the COSON team that he had previously fought the menace alongside some of the people in the music industry in the past. He noted that eradicating piracy was a collective effort the nation must make at this time, which requires the contribution of all. The Olubadan called on the different law enforcement agencies in the country and the federal and state governments to give serious attention to the issues of intellectual property as the nation seeks to diversify its economy.

The COSON team had earlier visited Fresh 105.9 FM, owned by a COSON member and ace gospel songwriter and performer, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, who welcomed the team and promised to act as a mouth piece of the organization to the public, while noting that his station will strive to always inform others on the essence of copyright protection.

The last point of call was the visit to Splash 105.5 FM, where Chief Tony Okoroji, Azeezat Allen, Baba Dee and Koffi ‘tha guru’ Idowu Noel, went on air to sensitize the public about Copyright and also serve up a reminder for the stakeholders forum to hold at Kakanfo Inn & Conference Centre, and also meet with the board members, where Splash FM was congratulated for being one of the royalty paying organizations in the country.

On the COSON train to Ibadan were COSON’s Chairman and Intellectual Property activist, Chief Tony Okoroji; COSON’s General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, COSON Directors, Azeezat Allen and Baba Dee Fasasi, Mr Joel Ajayi, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola; and ace comedian cum artiste, Koffi Idowu Noel, Mr Chinedu Okereke, Mr Vincent Adawaisi, Mr Isa Aruna, Mr Tolulope Balogun, among others.

COSON STAKEHOLDERS TO STORM IBADAN THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8.

L- R, MR CHINEDU CHUKWUJI, BRIGHT CHIMEZIE, CHIEF TONY OKOROJI, GOV. ROCHAS OKOROCHA

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s wave making copyright collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings which is revolutionizing royalty collection and distribution in Nigeria berths in the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday, September 8, 2016 for a major Stakeholders’ Forum for copyright owners and users in the South-West states of Nigeria.

The extraordinary event which will hold at the main hall of Kakanfo Inn & Conference Center in the heart of Ibadan will be a historic gathering of top artistes, songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, record companies, broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs, restaurants, transport companies, advertising and activation companies, etc. from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Kwara states. The event will also be attended by top government officials including representatives of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the Federal Government agency that regulates copyright in Nigeria. The Forum will be preceded by courtesy visits to key personalities and media organizations in Oyo State.

Speaking on the upcoming Ibadan forum, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, “We are getting ready for the big event in Ibadan. It is an important opportunity for us to interact with and listen to the people on whose behalf we work. COSON continues to take giant strides across the nation and across the world. One of the key reasons for the rapid growth of COSON and the significant stability that this great organization enjoys is that COSON is stakeholder driven. The COSON Stakeholders’ Forum has been held several times in Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha, Owerri, etc. Through a network of activists and consultants, COSON strives to make an impact across the country. We are going to Ibadan to ensure that the COSON revolution continues to inspire and energize the music industry and to make great impact in the national economy especially in the South Western part of our nation”.

Speaking also on the Ibadan forum, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “COSON is known for raising the bar and surpassing its past achievements, so as usual, we are leaving no stone unturned in putting together a first class event in the ancient city of Ibadan. With the recent successful hosting of the COSON Stakeholders’ Forum in Owerri, it is indicative that we are making progress and I am confident that stakeholders across the country are willing to make the necessary sacrifice and commitment to make the process work. We are indeed looking forward to the Ibadan Forum”

In the last six years, COSON has continued to redefine the music copyright licensing landscape in Nigeria as it continues to push for better copyright remuneration for music copyright owners. Across Africa, COSON is respected as one of the most professional organizations in the music industry. In every corner around the globe, COSON is represented by about 135 Collective Management Organizations with which the wave making Nigerian organization has reciprocal representation agreements.

It should be recalled that on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, every seat in the Amaechi Hall of Rockview Hotel, Owerri was occupied and many were left standing as the Stakeholders’ Forum of the wave making Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) was held in grand style, with the amiable Governor of Imo State, Gov. Rochas Okorocha, several of his commissioners, and every major player in the music industry from the South-East and South-South in attendance.

Come September 8, Oyo State is sure to reverberate with the now famous COSON slogan, “Let the music pay!”