The Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has advised all DISC (Deejays) jockeys that make music publicly obtain a license from the Copyright Nigeria LTD/GTE (MCSN) music society, the only collective management organization (CMO) for music in Nigeria, or risked prison for five years.
In a copyright notice recently published by the regulator, the NCC warned all Desejays who act or communicate music to the public that obtains a license from the rights holders or their approved collective management organization (CMOS).
The advice stated that “according to section 9 and 12 of the copyright law of Copyright 2022, the owner of the copyright in a musical work or sound recording has the exclusive right to reproduce it, perform it or communicate it to the public. Involving in any of these acts without the authorization of the owner, puncture of an infraction. N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) not less than five (5) years or both ”.
The notice also clarified that the public presentation of music by a Deejay, either in hotels, events, clubs, gardens or recreational facilities, constitutes a public performance and communication to the public of musical work and sound recording, as stipulated under the law.
Consequently, the NCC urged Deejays to obtain appropriate licenses and pay royalties to the approved collective management organization (CMO) before participating in such actions.
“And to avoid doubts, the CMO approved for musical works and sound recording in Nigeria is the Musical Society of Copyright Nigeria LTD/GTE (MCSN),” said the advisor, signed by the general director of NCC.
He also pointed out that the commission is aware that the Desejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN), such as the body of the umbrellas that represents Deejays in Nigeria, has entered a memorandum of understanding with MCSN. According to this agreement, Djan is authorized to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by Deejays throughout the country, based on the rate Djan had negotiated with MCSN.
“Keep in mind that the Commission will not hesitate to investigate, arrest and prosecute any Desejay who is in the contravention of the law. For this purpose, the commission will work with other relevant authorities to support DJAN's initiative to ensure that Deejays conducts its compliance trade with the copyright law.”
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