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The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has sued Silverbird Communications, the owners of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM, for N3 billion over an alleged copyright infringement.
The lawsuit , which was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on July 18, 2012 by Lagos IP lawyer, Justin Ige of Creative Legal, Seun Omotoba & Co, stated that COSON is asking for the award of more than three billion naira in allegedly unpaid royalties and damages against Silverbird Communications Ltd 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.’
‘We have been very patient with music users in Nigeria, but that has not yielded much results. It is time people realized that at COSON we stand by our words. We are committed to the defence of the rights of the music industry in Nigeria no matter what it takes.
“If anybody pulls at us, we will pull back. If anyone pushes us, we will push back. We have opened our doors wide and still continue to keep them open to all who are willing to discuss with us and legally deploy music in their businesses.
“Those who respect us will receive respect from us. Those who treat the music industry with contempt will get what they deserve’, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji said in a statement obtained by Nigerian Entertainment Today.
It will be recalled that in June, 2012, COSON instituted a billion naira lawsuit against Globe Broadcasting & Communications Ltd, owners of the Wazobia FM stations across Nigeria.
