Copyright Society of Nigeria slams Billion Naira suit on Wazobia FM

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole government approved collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings has filed a landmark copyright infringement action against Globe Broadcasting & Communications Ltd, owners of the well known radio stations, WAZOBIA FM in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the stations’ CEO, Mr. Amin Moussalli.

In suit No. FHC/L/C69S/598/12 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos on 5TH June 2012, COSON is asking for the award of more than one billion naira 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 writ endorsed by Lagos IP lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige of Creative Legal, Seun Omotoba & Co, COSON has also asked the court for exemplary damages in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira and aggravated damages in the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira. 


In the momentous action, supported by a 38 paragraph Statement of Claim and 50 exhibits, COSON is requesting for a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, their agents, privies or servants from further or other unauthorized copying, broadcast and/or infringement of the copyright in the musical works or sound recordings belonging to its members, affiliates and assignors and a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants whether by themselves, agents, privies, servants or however so called from evading or attempting to evade the payment of royalties for musical works and sound recordings broadcast. 


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