AS the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) and the Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has charged representatives of right owners and Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to forge alliances for easy negotiation, collection and distribution of royalties in the collective interests of relevant players in the creative industry.
Director-General, NCC, Dr. John O. Asein, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Regulatory, Mr. Augustine Amodu, made the call in his opening remarks during the signing of the MOU in Abuja on Monday, 19th December 2022.
He described the signing of the MoU as a significant milestone for the growth of the creative industry, adding that its implementation was expected to streamline the operations of DJAN in accordance with copyright law and CMO regulations in Nigeria.
He commended the parties, MCSN and DJAN, for their exemplary conduct in arriving at a win-win agreement at such a time when Nigeria’s creative industry was witnessing an unprecedented boom
The Director-General noted that “inasmuch as we celebrate these successes, there are huge losses of revenue attributable to poor rights management in an increasingly borderless and technology-driven digital environment while avenues for accessing creative contents are springing up on different platforms, disrupting traditional sales and licensing arrangements”.
He encouraged CMOs to adopt modern business models and leverage on available technological solutions to help them deliver efficiently on their primary mandates.
Dr. Asein noted that, as the collective management of rights remains a reliable system for compensating right owners in the exploitation of their works, there was a need to redefine the operational models in order to maximise available opportunities.
Speaking during the signing of the MOU, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MCSN, Mr. Mayo Ayilaran, commended the NCC for being the driving force behind the milestone to ensure a win-win situation. He also appreciated the Commission for the various regulatory interventions for the CMOs with encouragements and supports rather than just wielding the big stick. While assuring of MCSN’s willingness to make NCC one of the best regulatory agencies in Nigeria, Mr. Ayilaran lauded the DJAN for their positive disposition throughout the negotiation process and pledged that MCSN would do all it can to stick to the rules.
In his remarks, the National President of DJAN, Mr. Tade Adeyemi, a.k.a. DJ Kool, applauded the DG, NCC for the interventions during the negotiations to actualise the signing of the MOU between the DJAN and MCSN. He noted that the Commission’s interventions were changing the general perception about Deejays in Nigeria, adding that the DG’s promise of according recognition to DJAN as partners in the creative industry was being actualised. Mr. Adeyemi promised that DJAN would live up to the tenets of the agreement.
Congratulating MCSN and DJAN for the milestone agreement, the DG urged both sides to be faithful to the objectives and ultimate goals of the MOU. He reiterated that CMO operations must meet acceptable standards in ensuring that their tariffs were reasonable, fair and not unduly burdensome and must at all times comply with extant rules and regulations.
The event also had in attendance the Chairman, MCSN, Orits Williki; the Director, Nigerian Copyright Academy, Mr. Mike Akpan; Director, Operations, Mr. Obi Ezeilo; Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike; and other officials of MCSN and DJAN.
Amos Abutu
For: Director-General
