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Tag: COSON

  • COSON to meet stakeholders in Owerri

    COSON to meet stakeholders in Owerri

    The nation’s collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), has announced plans to hold a stakeholders forum for copyright owners in the Southeast and Southsouth states.

    The forum, holding at the main hall of Rockview Hotel, Owerri, on February 16, is expected to be attended by top artistes, songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, record companies, broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs, restaurants and transport companies from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Cross River states.

    According to Chairman of COSON Chief Tony Okoroji, “the messages we are getting from Owerri suggest that there is great expectation. We are bringing together diverse groups to chart a new course for Nigerian entertainment.  The copyright revolution we have begun must spread so that we can create new jobs for the many young people who are unemployed in Nigeria and ensure that the environment is right for investment in the creative industries. Those who think we are bold have not seen anything yet. COSON is going to even be bolder in 2016.”

    Corroborating Okoroji’s thoughts, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said: “We are leaving no stone unturned in putting together a first class event in Owerri. The successes of our previous stakeholders’ events are indicative that we are making progress especially with the recent successful hosting of the Nigerian Digital Music Summit in Lagos. I am confident that stakeholders across the country are willing to make the necessary sacrifice to make the process work. We are indeed looking forward to the Owerri Forum.”

     A few weeks ago, the Edo Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) allegedthat COSON has not been transparent in the distribution of royalties collected on behalf of artistes.

    The state Chairman of the association, Maleke Idowu, stated this when he led other leaders and members of the union on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), noting that PMAN has petitioned the state House of Assembly on the matter.

    The society had, on December 15, 2015, approved the distribution of N140 million in royalties to members and affiliates. The unanimous approval of the proposed distribution took place at the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of COSON held at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja. Following the approval, several members of COSON at the venue confirmed that shortly after the approval, they received alerts from their banks confirming that their royalties had been paid.

  • Edo PMAN frowns at COSON

    Edo PMAN frowns at COSON

    The Edo Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) said in Benin on Sunday that it was proposing a multi-billion Naira Entertainment Village in the State, just as it alleged that the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has not been transparent in the distribution of royalties collected on behalf of artistes.

    The State Chairman of the association, Maleke Idowu, stated this when he led other leaders and members of the union on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo Council on Sunday.

    According to Idowu, the proposed entertainment village would boast of music and film schools, health facilities, a sports centre and other needs, for musicians and entertainers, and would serve both as a revenue earner for the state.

    Idowu who noted that the proposal for the entertainment village and a prototype of the village have been presented to the state government, said PMAN has also petitioned the state House of Assembly on the activities of COSON.

    In the petition signed by the association’s secretary, Willy Nova, Edo PMAN said the activities of COSON were already enshrined in Rule 3 (h) of the PMAN Constitution.

    “He said that PMAN was registered by the Federal Government on August 15, 1984 to perform such roles and wondered why COSON would now begin to do that, without adequate remittances to the owners of the copyrights.ý

    “We appeal to Mr. Speaker and members of the House “to intervene in this matter and stop COSON from the illegal collections and to also compel them to render account for all the monies they have collected,’’ the association said in the petition.

    In his response, the Chairman, Edo Council of the NUJ, Mr. Roland Osakue, lauded the leadership of PMAN in the state for conceiving the idea of an entertainment village.

    He said the proposed village would be the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and promised that the union would support PMAN, to ensure that its members were adequately compensated with royalties accruing from their works

  • Kiss Daniel, Timi Dakolo, others win at COSON Song Award Nite

    Kiss Daniel, Timi Dakolo, others win at COSON Song Award Nite

    As part of its weeklong activities to celebrate the Nigerian movie industry, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) held an awards ceremony at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites on Friday, November 6. Primarily meant to honour songwriters, an often forgotten ilk in the Nigerian entertainment industry, the event had in attendance big names of the Nigerian music industry.

    The awardees for the night were Kiss Daniels (Best song, Melody  Woju O), Timi Dakolo (Best song, Lyrics  Wish Me Well and Best love song  Iyawo Mi), Joe Praize (Best Gospel song  Most High), MC Galaxy (Best Dance song  Sekem), Vector the Viper (Best Rap Song  King Kong), Ebenezer Obey (Master of Songs)  as well as Davido (The Song of Songs  Aye).

    Giving kudos to all the great Nigerian musicians who came before him for being the foundation of his success, Frank Edwards said, “If you could do music in the analogue era, without Auto tunes, cut and paste and so on, then you are really a musician.”

    Artistes who were on hand to thrill guests at the event were gospel crooner; Ebele, Joe El, and Timi Dakolo who held the audience spell bound with his passionate rendition of his Wish Me Well. Dammy Crane performed his Amin to the delight of the audience.

    Chief Commander (now Evangelist) Ebenezer Obey proved that he had indeed spent five decades in the industry with rousing rendition of his evergreen song Ketekete ,

    Among those present at the ceremnony were Mr Jimi Agbaje, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Dare Fasasi, Prince Bisis Olatilo, Patrick Doyle, Timi Dakolo, Ras Kimono, Kenny St. Brown, Edi Lawani, Kunle Bakare, and Mrs. Lucy Ajayi.

  • All set for COSON Week

    All set for COSON Week

    THE much publicised 2015 COSON Week is finally set to begin on Sunday over seven different venues in Lagos. Promising Lagosians a spectacular event, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, said, “Tell everybody that we are ready to keep our promise. We have burnt the midnight oil and for the seven days, all systems are ready to go.”

    The week starts on Sunday November 1 at the KICC Prayer Dome in Maryland, Lagos. Nigeria’s most celebrated gospel singers and some ministers of the gospel in the country are expected to grace the event. Among the many stars expected to thrill the audience are Buchi, Chidinma, Asu Ekiye, Frank Edwards and Princess Ann Inyang.  The show will be anchored by Victor Oladokun who is famous for presenting ‘Turning Point’.

    On Monday, Prof Bankole Sodipo, founding President, Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), will deliver the COSON Lecture on the topic, Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Economy, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos Sheraton Hotel Ikeja. Afterwards, the masked singer, Lagbaja, Hon Desmond Elliot, Mr. Audu Maikori, President Chocolate City Group and Mr. Raymond Mgbeokwere, Head, Legal Services, First Bank Plc, will discuss the subject.  The Lecture will be chaired by the IT guru and business mogul, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh.

    A major highlight of the lecture will be the presentation of the Copyright Grand Medal to the nation’s elder statesman and unsurpassed legal luminary, Prince Bola Ajibola.

    The next day, COSON goes to the streets as stars clean the streets, control traffic and give alms to the needy with a party on the move over the streets of Lagos.  The event will be flagged off at 10am at the National Theatre, Iganmu. The train will have top music stars and will take Eko Bridge, pass through the Marina and will be seen by fans in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

    On Wednesday is the COSON Green Ball with support of COSON Music Foundation which holds at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan. The event which kicks off by 6:30pm will be chaired by Senator (Princess) Florence Ita-Giwa. On Thursday, selected stars such as MC Galaxy, Akpororo, Timi Dakolo, Reekardo Banks, Skales, Emeka Smith, D’Lyte, Jaywon, Masterkraft, CDQ, Dipp, Kas, Tekno, Konga, Righteosman and YQ amongst others would duel on the table tennis table for the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow-Out. The venue is the Multipurpose Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. And the time is 11am.

    On Friday is the COSON Song Awards. Top nominees for the awards include Kiss Daniel, Jude, Peter & Paul Okoye ( P-Square), Davido, Omawummi, Orezi, Cobhams, Timi Dakolo, Asa, Dare Art Alade, Sheyi Shay, Tiwa Savage, Di’ Ja and others.

  • COSON to NCC: stop theft of our intellectual property

    COSON to NCC: stop theft of our intellectual property

    Stakeholders in the music industry have urged the regulator of the telecoms industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to end the rift of intellectual property theft going on in the digital space.

    Specifically, they want the regulator to ensure that the telcos do the needful before their music become accessible to their customers through the network so that it will be a win-win situation for all.

    According to the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Chief Tony Okoroji, who spoke in Lagos during the Nigerian Digital Music Summit, organised by COSON in collaboration with The World Bank, Growth and Employment Projects (GEM), UKAid  and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said, there is need to deliberate on the rules of engagement of the music industry in the digital environment in an effort to ensure that practitioners who are involved in the value chain get a fair deal to ensure sustainable growth of the music industry.

    Speaking on Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment, Okoroji noted that the music industry has become remarkable with the evolution of digital revolution, saying rather than buying physical products such vinyl, music cassettes, CDs or DVDs, most consumers store music on their cell phones, iPads, iPods, Mp3s, Mp4s, memory chips, memory sticks and other similar digital devices.

    He noted that while some of these means of getting music are paid for, a lot of it is free.

    “The method of distributing music is changing rapidly with the telephone companies and internet aggregators who are providing the means through which music moves from the producers to the consumers.

    “In Nigeria, all the cell phone companies have set up digital music distribution platforms including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat and even several internet platforms have been set up to distribute entertainment products. New organisations such as Spinlet and Iroking are becoming important players in entertainment product distribution. Phone manufacturing companies are loading their new handsets with a large amount of music. All of these have rules which must be followed,” he said.

    Okoroji called on telcos and other digital platforms to be more circumspect in their promotional activities of the music industry, in order not to devalue or adversely affect the sustainable growth of the Nigerian music industry.

    He said the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) would take cognizance of the emerging platforms and the challenges of music exploitation in the digital environment, adding that the commission will also provide a clear, simple and functional licensing regime on these platforms and would speed up ongoing reform process to address the protection, administration and enforcement of rights in the digital environment.

    He said the increasing menace of illegal offline downloads which leads to infringement of copyright in music would also be addressed.

    NCC Director-General, Mr. Afam Ezekude, said it is important for users of creative contents including the telcos to leverage on the facilities of copyright system to ensure the sustenance of seamless availability of creative content and enhance their value added services. He said the use of creative content should be on the basis of license legitimately issued by those who own rights to the creative content.

    Mr Ezekude noted that most operators appear not to be engaging the right platforms to secure appropriate license for creative contents deployed on some networks, saying they continually witness some avoidable copyright disputes, which do not only impact negatively on the image of the service providers, but also distract authors from pursuing their creative endeavours.

    Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Peter Jack said much is still needed to be done to sustain the digital revolution in the music industry since the world is now driven by IT.

    He said IT is an enabler in all sectors, saying recent reports from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that IT contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 5.7 per cent in 2011 to 12.6 per cent this year, growing at an annual rate of 6.4 per cent.

    He said the statistics implies that for any sector to achieve remarkable contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s economy, and be part of Federal Government’s cardinal goal of wealth creation, it must exploit the opportunities in ICT of which the music industry is a major one.

    He said NITDA will ensure improved framework for digital monitoring of music played by broadcast stations across Nigeria.

    He said NITDA is willing to partner with COSON to achieve its goals which are expected to ensure efficiency, transparency and maintain an accurate database.

     

  • COSON holds digital music summit

    COSON holds digital music summit

    THE Federal Government has been urged to implement the provisions of the Copyright Order, 2012 to compensate right owners for the private copying of their works. The call was made at the Nigerian Digital Music Summit held on Tuesday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Convened by the Copyright Society of Nigeria with the theme; Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment, the two-day event provided an opportunity for key players in the production and distribution of music to engage with copyright experts from around the world to deliberate on the rules of engagement in the digital environment so as to ensure that practitioners who are involved in the value chain in Nigeria get a fair deal and to guarantee the stability and sustainable growth of the Nigerian music industry.

    Papers were presented by experts on various topics, including: Understanding How the Digital Music Business Works in Nigeria by Mr. Audu Maikori; Aggregating Music for the Digital Market Place by Mr. Lawrence Wilbert; The Digital Music Market Place and Copyright by Mrs. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson; Digital Music Licensing: Current Issues by Mrs. Inger Elise Mey; Monetization of the Digital Exploitation of Musical Works and Sound Recordings as it Affects Creators and Publishers, Performers and Record Companies by Mr. Rob Hooijer; Employment Opportunities in a Structured Music Industry by Mr. Yunusa S. Labaran; and Monetising Music in the Internet Age: The CAPASSO South Africa Experience by Ms. Nothando Migogo.

    At the end of the summit, a fifteen point resolution was adopted by the participants. The resolutions which cover a wide range of issues that affect the music industry, among other things, urged the Nigerian Copyright Commission to take into cognizance the emerging platforms and the challenges of exploitation in the digital environment and provide a clear, simple and functional licensing regime on these platforms.

    Participants at the Summit included musicians, music producers, label owners, copyright administrators, rights managers, music aggregators, telecommunications companies, legal practitioners, advertising practitioners and government officials.

  • COSON holds digital music summit

    COSON holds digital music summit

    The Federal Government has been urged to implement the provisions of the Copyright Order, 2012 to compensate right owners for the private copying of their works.

    The call was made at the Nigerian Digital Music Summit held on Tuesday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Convened by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) with the theme; Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment, the two-day event provided an opportunity for key players in the production and distribution of music to engage with copyright experts from around the world to deliberate on the rules of engagement in the digital environment so as to ensure that practitioners who are involved in the value chain in Nigeria get a fair deal and to guarantee the stability and sustainable growth of the Nigerian music industry.

    Papers were presented by experts on various topics, including: Understanding How the Digital Music Business Works in Nigeria by Mr. Audu Maikori; Aggregating Music for the Digital Market Place by Mr. Lawrence Wilbert; The Digital Music Market Place and Copyright by Mrs. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson; Digital Music Licensing: Current Issues by Mrs. Inger Elise Mey; Monetization of the Digital Exploitation of Musical Works and Sound Recordings as it Affects Creators and Publishers, Performers and Record Companies by Mr. Rob Hooijer; Employment Opportunities in a Structured Music Industry by Mr. Yunusa S. Labaran; and Monetising Music in the Internet Age: The CAPASSO South Africa Experience by Ms. Nothando Migogo.

    At the end of the summit, a fifteen point resolution was adopted by the participants. The resolutions which cover a wide range of issues that affect the music industry, among other things, urged the Nigerian Copyright Commission to take into cognizance the emerging platforms and the challenges of exploitation in the digital environment and provide a clear, simple and functional licensing regime on these platforms.

    Participants at the Summit included musicians, music producers, label owners, copyright administrators, rights managers, music aggregators, telecommunications companies, legal practitioners, advertising practitioners and government officials.

  • KICC hosts ‘COSON in the Church’

    KICC hosts ‘COSON in the Church’

    COME Sunday, November 1, the auditorium of KICC Prayer Dome in Maryland, Lagos will play host to the first of the seven mega events of the 2015 edition of COSON Week put together by the Copyright Society of Nigeria.

    Tagged COSON in the Church, the event has been described as a national day of prayer and invocation to the Almighty with the most captivating gospel singers across Nigeria and the most respected ministers of the gospel.

    According to COSON management, gospel artiste, Buchi Atonwu has been tasked with assembling music acts who will thrill the audience while a plush red carpet show to be beamed live to the world from the KICC Prayer Dome.

    Chairman of COSON, Tony Okoroji, has said that nothing is being left to chance to ensure that COSON in the Church leaves deep memories in the minds of everyone with the opportunity to witness the event.

    “People are coming from different parts of the world to be part of this event. Our instruction to all our operatives is to leave no stone unturned as we get ready to produce a show that is of the highest international quality. We will also be doing live streaming. All gospel music lovers and believers in the gospel are in for lifetime treat,” he said.

    On Monday, November 2, attention will shift to Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja where a large group of Nigeria’s hottest intellectuals, social, communication and legal scholars will join the creative community to discuss Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Economy.

    Other activities slated for the COSON week include COSON in the Streets, the COSON Green Ball, COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out, COSON Song Awards as well as a spectacular open air beach finale; COSON Storms the Beach, on Saturday, November 7.

  • COSON lauds God Is Good Motors

    COSON lauds God Is Good Motors

    FOR its initiative to obtain the society’s licence enabling it to reward intellectual property owners of music deployed, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has commended the transport company, God is Good Motors.

    While noting that the move will ensure that the company operates in an environment free from harassment by right owners, COSON also implored other transport companies to take a cue from God is Good Motors.

    According to the General Manager of COSON, Chinedu Chukwuji, COSON is glad that the several months of painstaking work done in the transport sector is beginning to pay off.

    “This is a good development for intellectual property rights in Nigeria and we will take it further. I wish to congratulate the Management of God is Good Motors Ltd. for taking the initiative to ensure that they operate in an environment free from harassment by right owners and I implore other transport companies to take a cue from them,” Chukwuji said.

    He noted that the God is Good initiative followed a strong resolve taken by the COSON Board at the start of the year to ensure that the society fully engages and licenses the sector which daily exploits music belonging to COSON members and her affiliates in huge volumes.

    Chukwuji also reiterated that COSON remains committed to promoting the copyright culture in our environment.

    “While we will continue to engage the transport sector, we will be engaging the telecommunications industry very soon and hope to get full cooperation from them. We continue to encourage all who may wish, to deploy all the music they want to boost customer experience but most importantly, to ensure that they get the appropriate license for the music deployed,” he added.

  • Celebrations as COSON clocks 5

    Celebrations as COSON clocks 5

    It was a night to remember at the fifth edition of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) awards event held on Wednesday May 20 May at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja. The gathering of the cream of the creative industry in Nigeria cuts across age, generation and gender. It had in attendance, musicians like Tuface Idibia, Ras Kimono, and Kenny St. Brown, veterans like Chris Ajilo and Edi Lawani; actors like Patrick Doyle, Jennifer Eliogwu and lots more. It started a little behind schedule, and opened with a rendition of the National Anthem by a trio of ladies, including popular musician Azeezat Allen.

    COSON, it was said, was registered by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in May 2011, as the sole collector of royalties on all music and video recordings made in Nigeria, and to remit same to the creators of such works. The management made bold to say that COSON has disbursed millions of Naira to copyright holders in Nigeria.

    In the words of the Society’s chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, “They told us that nobody would pay a shilling, to play or use people’s songs. Today, the story is different, in the face of all odds, and against all naysayers, COSON has achieved its vision of ensuring that content creators reap the fruit of their labour. Today, the song has become “Let the music pay”, and this has become the mantra of the body. This gathering of like-minded creative minds celebrates the importance of unity in the industry, and as Sunny Neji once put it, “Together the music industry stands, apart we fall.”

    This year had some eminent Nigerian performers, technocrats, and professionals inducted into the COSON Hall of Fame. They include,  Innocent “Tuface” Idibia, Mac Emakpora, Professor Egerton Uvieghara, Sunny Raymond Neji, Patrick Harry Doyle, Emmanuel Ntia, Kenny St. Best, Christopher Abiodun Ajilo, Segun Awosanya, Toju Ejueyitchie, and Eddie Lawani. Others are Patricia Oloruntoba, Ben Ofueze, Kazie Uko, Goke Akinboro, Justin Akpovi-Esade, Justin Ige, and  Nnamdi Agwunobi.

    Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was awarded the COSON Medal of Honor for what they described as his unwavering support and commitment to the cause of Nigerian copyright owners.

    A night of pure entertainment, with bands like the Energy band and Groove Control band, musicians like Tuface and Majek Fashek thrilled the audience with rendition of Majek Fashek’s “Holy Spirit”, and actress-turned-singer, Jennifer Eliogwu serenaded the audience with soulful tunes. Comedian MC Smart was also on ground to entertain the audience. There was also a sumptuous dinner, and as the night came to an end with the cutting of the cake, well wishers wished COSON many more happy years, and look forward to the next anniversary.