COSON SLAMS N1BN LAWSUIT AGAINST WAZOBIA FM

Tony Okoroji and Amin Moussalli


The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Globe Broadcasting and Communications Ltd., owners of the well-known radio stations, Wazobia FM, Cool FM and Nigeria Info and the stations’ CEO, Amin Moussalli.

In suit number FHC/L/C69S/598/12 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, COSON is asking for the award of the sum of more than N1bn in unpaid royalties and damages against Wazobia FM and its owners for ‘the unauthorized copying, broadcast and infringement of the
copyright in the musical works and sound recordings belonging to COSON members, affiliates and assignors’.

In the suit which was filed by Justin Ige of Creative Legal, Seun Omotoba & Co., COSON has also asked the court for exemplary damages in the sum of N500m and aggravated damages in the sum of N250m.

COSON has also requested the radio station also restrain from further use of musical works or sound recordings belonging to its members, affiliates and assignors.

‘It’s a new day for the creative industry in Nigeria. Those who have followed this process will vouch that we have been patient with broadcast stations and commercial users of music in Nigeria. We have not been rash. We have pleaded with them… we have appealed and sought compromise on every front. Some users have sincerely engaged with COSON and we have resolved their copyright issues professionally. Some others have treated us with contempt and disdain and behaved as if Nigeria is a nation without laws and all music found in Nigeria is theirs to use as they wish’, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji said.

‘It is a great thing. It has been a long time coming. This is a wakeup call to all others who are abusing copyright in Nigeria. We have to use someone as a scape goat so all others abusing copyright would know that it will not be business as usual’, long-time Nigerian singer Azeezat said.

Speaking with the Chief Operating Officer of Wazobia FM, Evita Moussalli, she says; ’We have already engaged our lawyers and as the matter is in court I choose not to comment’.

In January, 2011, COSON had written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan demanding that the licenses of popular radio stations Cool FM and Wazobia FM be revoked.

News credit: TheNet