By Dayo Showemimo
The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), has filed a landmark copyright infringement action against Ikeja Hotels Ltd, owners of Sheraton Lagos.
This is consistent with the thrust of its recently launched copyright enforcement initiative, ‘Operation No Hiding Place.’
Also joined in the suit are Sheraton Overseas Management Corporation, which manages hundreds of hotels in several countries across the globe and Mr. Barry Curran, General Manager of Ikeja Hotels Ltd.
In suit No. FHC/L/CS/1475/2014, filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos by Lagos Intellectual Property lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige of Creative Legal on September 29, 2014, COSON is asking for N1.04 billion in unpaid royalties and damages against Sheraton Lagos, its owners and managers for the unauthorized copying, communication to the public, permission to perform and infringement of the copyright in the musical works and sound recordings ofCOSON members, affiliates and assignors.
COSON also claims that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, Sheraton Overseas Management Corporation and Mr. Barry Curran, General Manager of Ikeja Hotels Ltd. have done nothing to end the ‘brazen abuse of the intellectual property rights of owners of copyright in musical works and sound recordings at Sheraton Lagos Hotel,’ the huge facility which they operate and manage in Nigeria and have rather continued to ‘enjoy the profit emanating from such abuse.’
COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said ‘Nigerian law is not a piece of artwork to be placed on the wall and admired. It is made to be respected and obeyed. Nobody should feel sorry for any hotel or music user sued by COSON. For years, they have been reminded over and over again to act within the law. Some of them however believe that Nigeria is a place where there is no consequence for what you do so they treat the law with scorn. They will soon find out that they are wrong.‘
The former President of PMAN and author of Copyright, Neighbouring Rights & the New Millionaires said, ‘While major hotels such as Transcorp Hilton, Southern Sun, Eko Hotels & Suites, Protea Ikeja, Wheatbaker, Raddison Blue, Golden Tulip, etc. are complying with the law, some others believe that they are highly connected and nobody can touch them. They will soon learn that the law is not a respecter of persons. Let them go and hire the most expensive Senior Advocates and pay them millions. At the end of the day, they will find out that they must obtain licences and pay for the music they use. We will make them learn that the law is the law.’
Recently, COSON launched an all-encompassing war against music copyright infringement in Nigeria in a campaign tagged ‘Operation No Hiding Place’ and has stated its determination to make operations impossible for all recalcitrant music users.