AVRS, the Nigerian Copyright Management Organization for audiovisual works, sued Transcorp for N 1billion in copyright infringement
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Wednesday, May 25, for the hearing of a motion for an interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain Transcorp Hilton from using its business arena for public performance or communication to the public of Audiovisual works or Cinematograph films.
The application is coming on the heels of a suit filed by Audiovisual Rights Society Limited/Gte (AVRS) seeking declaratory reliefs and injunctions from the court against the defendant.
Entertainment lawyer Mr Justin Ige from Creative Legal, acting as counsel to AVRS, is asking the Federal High Court Abuja, to restrain the hotel from “permitting any place or facility of public entertainment or business, belonging to or controlled by the defendant (Transcorp Hilton), to be used for the public performance or communication to the public of Audiovisual works or Cinematograph films comprised of copyrights or performer’s rights belonging to the Plaintiff, the Plaintiff’s members, assignees and/or affiliates without the license of the Plaintiff pending the final determination of this suit.”
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Justice Taiwo, will on Wednesday, hear arguments of parties on the issues and determine if Transcorp Hotel should continue to allow access to films belonging to AVRS and its members without an AVRS license.
According to the chairman of the board of AVRS, Mr Mahmood Ali-Balogun, “History is upon us. Nigeria will tell us whether the likes of Transcorp Hilton are right to totally disregard audiovisual rights, or trample on the rights of creative people.”
The Managing Partner at Creative Legal, Justin Ige said that he is very eager to see how the court will decide. He said “Enough is enough. The rights of creative people should be respected by all. If the decision is in favour of AVRS, Transcorp Hilton will have to completely rethink its business to better respect creative people.”
Recall that last year, AVRS, which is the Nigerian Copyright Management Organization for audiovisual works, sued the defendant for N 1billion for copyright infringement and refusal to comply with copyright laws.
