Dispute Resolution Services (WIPO/NCC Mediation for Entertainment Disputes)

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is currently collaborating with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center (AMC) to promote the use of mediation for resolution of entertainment disputes. WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. It is a self-funding (specialised) agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states, whose mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.

 

In December 2020, the Commission executed a memorandum of understanding with WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which makes it part of the global network of IP agencies and institutions promoting the use of WIPO alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system for dispute resolution in diverse fields of intellectual property, including copyright, instead of resorting to court litigation.

 

The WIPO ADR system allows parties to refer most contractual and non-contractual commercial disputes to WIPO ADR procedures, including disputes arising in licensing agreements, content distribution agreements, broadcasting agreements, software-related agreements, among others; and non-contractual disputes related to copyright infringements. To this end, a joint webpage of WIPO AMC and the Nigerian Copyright Commission has been established to provide information on how practitioners in the entertainment sector can benefit from this collaboration.

You can refer any dispute for settlement under the WIPO ADR rules by direct application to WIPO AMC, or through the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

For more information on this, click on the following link:

https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/center/specific-sectors/ipoffices/nigeria/