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Royalties: COSON warns erring hotels……

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Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings has sent out a warning to hotels in Nigeria who are dodging the payment of copyright royalties for the music used in their establishments that there would be heavy consequences anytime from now.
According to a press statement sent to us, COSON said it entered into an industry wide agreement with Hotels and Personal Services Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) in December 2012 resulting in negotiated music copyright rates for hotels across Nigeria. Since then, such top hotels as Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos; Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; Sheraton Hotel & Suites, Abuja; Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi; Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC and several top hotels across the country have been in compliance.

Unfortunately, some hotels have continued to freely deploy in their business the works of innocent creators and investors in the music industry in defiance of the law, against the rights of these creators and against global best practice.

Sending a warning in a statement, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “Anyone who thinks that COSON is joking about this has to be ready for the full force of COSON. We have a good relationship with the HOPESEA leadership and with the leadership of other associations like Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA). These organizations held us down to serious negotiations that lasted about two years. The leadership of HOPESEA got a rate on behalf of their members which is the lowest rate anyone can get anywhere in the world. Some of the hotels appear not to appreciate what their leadership has done. Anyone familiar with COSON knows that we do not say what we will not do. We are determined to take on the recalcitrant hotels full blast. We have been very patient but now we will employ the full instruments of the law”

Meanwhile, some hotels in Nigeria who are yet to comply have been given two weeks’ notice by COSON lawyers to pay their music copyright royalties or face the music. The hotels include Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Bolingo Hotels and Towers, Abuja, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Golden Tulip, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Imo Concorde Hotel & Casino, Owerri, Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, etc.

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Lagos State Tourism and Naija Brand Chic are coming together to host the NBC Trade Fair, promising an unparalleled experience!

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Last year, the NBC Trade Fair saw over 200 vendors achieve significant sales figures. This year, Lagos State is joining forces with NBC, setting an ambitious target of facilitating 5 billion naira in sales for Lagos businesses.

 

Mr. Idris Aregbe, the SA to the governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, anticipates a monumental event. “We’re aiming for an extraordinary 5 billion Naira in sales for businesses participating in Naija Brand Chic and Lagos Tourism Fair this year,” he remarked.

 

“With a diverse range of sectors represented, including lifestyle, fashion, services, and innovation, this fair offers an exceptional platform for vendors and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings and contribute to Lagos’ economic growth,” he added.

Nelly Agbogu emphasized the fair’s expansion to accommodate more participants, ensuring that the targeted 5 billion sales will benefit all involved. “From household essentials to cultural gems, the fair will feature a wide array of offerings, fostering connections and community growth,” she stated.

 

Mr. Aregbe also announced Toyin Abraham as the ambassador for the joint fair between Lagos Tourism and Naija Brand Chic!

 

Date: June 14 to 16, 2024, at Whitestone Event Center for this exciting event!

 

For more information, reach out to: @idrisconnectingnigeria @naijabrandchic #LagosTourism #NaijaBrandChick #NBCTradeFair #5BillionSalesGoal

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Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) Distributes Copyright Royalties for 2023 to Members..

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The Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) is pleased to announce the distribution of copyright royalties to its esteemed members for the year 2023. AVRS has maintained a consistent record of distributing royalties to its members over the past three years. As the sole collective management organization for audiovisual works in Nigeria, AVRS is dedicated to protecting the rights of its members, including producers, directors, screenwriters, and performers (actors), ensuring they receive equitable compensation for their creative contributions and investments.

AVRS remains steadfast in its commitment to providing comprehensive copyright licensing solutions to users of audiovisual works nationwide. Through diligent management and strategic partnerships, AVRS fulfils its obligations and cultivates a flourishing ecosystem for the audiovisual industry in Nigeria.

In light of this recent distribution, AVRS urges all its members across the country to update their works and account details with the organization. This crucial step ensures seamless and accurate royalty distribution, enabling members to fully benefit from their works. Members are encouraged to promptly update their information to facilitate efficient payment processing.

Furthermore, AVRS calls upon all users of audiovisual works across the country who have not yet complied with copyright licensing requirements to do so without delay. The unauthorized use of works in AVRS’s repertoire constitutes copyright infringement. According to the Nigerian Copyright Act, individuals or entities who, without the owner’s consent, communicate or make works available to the public for commercial purposes are liable to fines or imprisonment.

 

 

AVRS emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to the Nigerian Copyright Act and obtaining necessary licenses to avoid legal consequences.

 

“AVRS remains dedicated to advocating for the rights of our members and nurturing a thriving audiovisual industry in Nigeria,” said Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman of AVRS. “We are proud to distribute copyright royalties for 2023 to our members for the fourth consecutive year and urge them to update their works and account details with us. Additionally, we remind all users of audiovisual works to obtain proper licenses to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Copyright Act.”

For more information about AVRS and its initiatives, please visit www.avrsnigeria.com.

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BREAKING: Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope is dead….

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Actor Junior Pope Odonwodo has died.

According to reports, four actors including Junior Pope fell into Anam River in Anambra State, on their way to a movie location and their bodies have been recovered.

The actor had earlier shared a video of himself and others on a boat, on their way to the movie location.

Captioning the video, he wrote: “See me lamenting….The risk we take to entertain you; crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket…. Na wahooooo Who does that ??”

Some of his colleagues reacted in the comment section of the video shortly after his death was announced.

“Jesus! Oh Lord! Oh Lord,” Tana Adelana wrote.

“I’m so sad. can’t believe this. Big Sam where are you? am shaking,” Yvonne Jegede wrote.

The 39-year-old was married to Jennifer Awele.

They have three children together.

 

I don’t say much here anymore for a lot of reasons but I’ll say this, this was all preventable deaths if the minimum standards of safety was followed. If we in this business take ourselves a bit more seriously and practice this profession with all the seriousness it deserves. Nobody should go into a boat without a life jacket. Period. No producer should send people into one nor should anybody cast/crew enter anyone. How many deaths are enough?…… Richerd Mofe Damijo….

 

What a tragedy ! What a shame ! How could these young men take this kind of risk. No life jackets and you can’t swim. Ahhh. This is so,so sad.

May God receive their souls. Amen🙏….. Zik Zulu Okafor

 

 

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