By Uzor Odigbo
Entertainment Lawyer, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, niece to human and civil rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, has said there is urgent need for the establishment of dedicated Intellectual Property (IP) Court in Nigeria.
The convener of the Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS), said that with Nigeria’s creative economy rapidly expanding, the absence of an IP court is seen as a critical legal infrastructure deficiency.
Speaking during the inaugural summit which took place at the Landmark Events Centre between September 17 and 20, Fawehinmi said establishing an IP court in Nigeria is not only essential but overdue.
Experts believe a dedicated IP court would among other things, ensure efficient handling of intellectual property disputes, and provide protection for creative works that fuel industries such as music, film, fashion, and technology.
Nigeria’s lack of proper legal structures leaves creators vulnerable to infringement, with inadequate recourse.
One significant announcement at the summit in Lagos was the introduction of Protect We, a platform offering legal education tailored to the entertainment industry.
Ms Fawehinmi highlighted the pressing issue of affordable, accessible training for lawyers interested in entertainment law.
She further highlighted the pressing issue of affordable, accessible training for lawyers interested in entertainment law.
“If you want a Master’s in Entertainment Law, you have to go to the UK or US, but the costs are prohibitive,” she explained, referencing tuition fees upwards of £30,000 and $50,000.
The Protect We platform, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section of Business Law, offers a nine-month master’s Programme.
This programme equips lawyers with skills to navigate the complexities of the creative economy.
This program equips lawyers with skills to navigate the complexities of the creative economy.
“By the time they are done, they will say they studied here and got a certificate in film law… They will be able to work in film and media companies as lawyers, gaining practical experience,” Ms Fawehinmi elaborated.
In addition to the Master’s course, the newly launched initiative will also be providing short courses for creatives on understanding their legal rights, covering topics such as conflict resolution and supply chain management.
Ms Fawehinmi aims to see 5,000 specialised entertainment lawyers operating in Nigeria within five years, a significant increase from the current number.
