Musical Copyright Society Nigeria licence renewed

The development, which was conveyed in a letter from the NCC recently, means that the MSCN can continue its duties as a collective management organisation (CMO) for musical works and sound recordings in accordance with the Copyright Act, Cap C.28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Copyright (Collective Management Organisation) Regulations 2007.

The news also arrives four years after the Mayowa Ayilaran-led body was approved by the NCC as an official collecting body following a directive by attorney-general Abubakar Malami.

“With the renewal of MCSN’s approval or licence to operate as a CMO in addition to its being the largest owner, assignee and exclusive licensee of copyright in musical works and sound recordings within the provisions of the relevant sections of the Copyright Act 2004 as interpreted and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Nigerian creators of intellectual property and their counterparts around the world are full of expectations of great rewards for their creativity coming out of Nigeria,” the NCC said.

Responding to the development, the MCSN expressed appreciation to NCC director-general John Ohi Asein and the commission’s governing board, management and staff. Additionally, the MSCN lauded the NCC’s pledge to increase its efforts towards ensuring transformation in Nigeria’s copyright culture to achieve prosperity for all stakeholders. 

The MCSN has also invited engagement from creators of musical works and sound recordings, among other copyright owners, in order to achieve a better functioning copyright landscape.

“The MCSN has thrown its doors wide open for all creators of musical works, sound recordings and other genres of copyright interests for a robust and harmonious engagement for the realisation of the greater goal of creating prosperity for all,” it said.

“MCSN assures everyone in the sector, both creators and users, that there would be a fair deal for all ... there would no longer be room for playing one group or interest against the other as has been done in the past by certain users and holders of copyright works and interest.”

Founded in 1984, the MSCN is an incorporated collective association of authors, composers, arrangers and music publishers. It operates with the goal of managing and protecting the intellectual property rights of its members and affiliates, as well as handling the collection and distribution of fees and other economic benefits to them.

In a related development, the governor of the Lagos State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Olomide Osoba, has unveiled his outfit’s plans for 2021, key among them being increased collaboration between the music industry and the government, as well as a campaign to connect musicians with young people who are interested in entering the entertainment sector.