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THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY COALITION’S PROTEST AGAINST PIRACY
The National Broadcasting Commission notes the decision of the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition to hold a series of activities to protest the debilitating effect of piracy on the industry. The Commission condemns, in harsh terms, the activities of pirates of musical and other intellectual properties, with the devastating effect it has on the Nigerian creative sector, particularly books, films and, of course, music. The Commission also supports any legitimate means rights owners pursue to protect their rights.
However, the Commission is concerned about the implications of the “No Music Day” the coalition has declared, which is in complete negation of the terms of licence of the broadcast stations to serve the people of Nigeria. It is difficult to conceive a programme that has no musical element to it.
Furthermore it would mean that thematic stations with music bias would be kept effectively off air for 12 hours, which will also affect their contractual agreements with their clients.
The Commission does not support any move by anyone that would shut down the operations of any broadcasting station without recourse to the due process of law. We stand by broadcasting stations to render their obligations to their various publics. We, however, will not condone any attempt to enforce illegality.
The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to use this medium to urge all broadcasting stations to give full support to the fight against piracy by giving adequate publicity to the moves to eradicate piracy, by discouraging the use of pirated materials on their stations, and by keeping strictly to the conditions of their rights agreements.
Signed:
Awwalu Salihu
Head, Public Affairs. |
