MCSN, COSON In Court Over Outstanding Royalties
By Kayode Aponmade
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) has filed a civil suit against the Copyright Society Of Nigeria (COSON) and Chief Tony Okoroji at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
According the Suit No. FHC/L/ CS/1172/17 filed by DA Awosika & Partners, MCSN seeks the order of the court to compel COSON and its predecessor in title to account for all monies collected on behalf of its members, assignors, exclusive licensors and affiliates as well as money collected for the exploitation of its repertoire since 2010 and before.
Other reliefs sought by the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria include the order of the court directing COSON to avail, furnish, and deliver to MCSN a detailed account of monies/royalties collected by the defendants on the copyright repertoire of the plaintiff from 2010 till date and at any other time at all by COSON or its predecessor in title.
An order of the honorable court compelling COSON to remit and or pay over all the accounted monies /royalties due to the plaintiff forthwith was also sought.
MCSN equally seeks an order of a perpetual injunction restraining COSON and Chief Okoroji, their agents, assigns, servants, and anyone howsoever described from tampering with, licensing, collecting royalties on or dealing with musical works, sound recording and other ancillary works or rights in the repertoire of MCSN.
On the suit, an impeccable source quoted the chairman of the board of MCSN, Orits Williki to have said that MCSN is before the court on the issues formulated in order to ensure that the best practices in copyright administration are done in Nigeria in line with what obtains all over the world.
“You cannot claim you are a sole monopoly and you go about collecting money on people’s behalf, pocket the money and refuse to render account. That’s pure lawlessness and corruption.
MCSN believes in the rule of law that is why we’re in court to demand for every penny due to our members and on our repertoire.
