COSON, Sony Lay Map For Music Licensing And Distribution

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), has commended the efforts by the management team of Sony Music Entertainment Africa, on their partnership in trying to work with the organization in strengthening the Nigerian music industry.

The delegation led by the Managing Director, Mr. Sean Watson met with the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji and the society’s General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji to discuss the landscape for the licensing of musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria.

Welcoming the delegation to the COSON office, Chief Okoroji said, ‘At COSON, our mantra is ‘Let the music pay’ and this mantra provides the energy that drives everyone at COSON to do everything we can 24 hours every day to ensure that music is profitable for all those who invest their talent, ingenuity and financial resources to create and make available the music that the world enjoys.’

40 People, Events That Shaped The Nigerian Entertainment Industry in 2013

40 People, Events That Shaped The Nigerian Entertainment Industry in 2013 by BY ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO AND ADEMOLA OLONILUA of the PUNCH.

The year 2013 would be over in a couple of days. For the entertainment industry, expectedly, it was a year of drama, avalanche of controversies, happy moments, scandals, weddings and unfortunately, deaths. The year witnessed some highpoints for some practitioners and certainly, some entertainers have had it rough and raw. Here are some highlights of events and people that made 2013 tick.

COSON STANDS FIRM: Threatens To Boycott Rhythm Unplugged, Headies... If BON/IBAN Do Not Call Off Ban!

Stemming from the ban of Nigerian Music on Radio and Television stations across Nigeria, by members of the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN).

Artiste (COSON Members) at a music industry forum, which held at Rumours in Ikeja, yesterday (Tuesday 10^th December), have threaten to boycott the forthcoming Rhythm Unplugged, Hip Hop Awards (Headies) and other events.

Because of the event organizers (Rhythm Unplugged - Flytime, Hip Hop Awards (Headies) – Hip TV/Smooth Promotions), affiliations with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN).

BON/IBAN Bans Several Artists Including 2face, D'banj, Iyanya, Because of COSON

For quite some time now, the Copyrights Society of Nigeria (COSON), has been harassing the Broadcasting Society of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Society of Nigeria, IBAN, insisting that they pay royalties for playing the songs of Nigerian artists. COSON has dragged several radio and TV stations to court, demanding millions, sometimes billions of Naira in royalty.

Well, it seems IBAN and BON have had enough. Two days ago, they announced the ban of all Nigerian artists registered with COSON. Meaning that they ordered the immediate stop to the airing of songs of artists who are COSON members.

The artists include 2face Idibia, D'banj, Onyeka Onwenu, Iyanya, Banky W, Flavour, Ice Prince, Dr Sid, Olamide, 9ice, M.I, eLDee, Ruggedman, Wizkid, Asa, Waje, Omawumi and several others.

BON THREAT TO NIGERIAN ARTISTES: EMPTY YET UNFORTUNATE. - Efe Omorogbe.

It has been obvious for a while now that a good number of operators of broadcast stations (radio and television) in Nigeria would do anything to avoid paying royalties for the commercial exploitation of music.

A few associates have tried to argue that this is not the case, citing issues like the figures being demanded and the licensing format as the obstacles militating against mass compliance.

I have maintained, even at a recent IBAN meeting held at Oriental Hotel that these positions were mere excuses as COSON has demonstrated a clear willingness to negotiate with broadcast outfits and engender a relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation.

Ultima: We Don’t Owe Paul Play

Producer of popular music talent hunt show, Project Fame, Ultima Limited, has denied the infringement claims levelled against the outfit by singer and producer, Paul Play Dairo.

In a statement, Ultima said the outfit is not owing Paul Play or any artiste royalties for the use of their musical works in its show.

It said Ultima, “as a law abiding corporate citizen, respecting the rights of all stakeholders in her conduct of business,” has duly paid Copyrights Society of Nigeria, COSON, which was the government approved collecting agency, for all musical works that they used.

BANKY W SEEKS INTERVENTION AS WIZKID CONTRACT SAGA CONTIUNES.

It’s learnt that spirited efforts to get Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid, to retrace his steps back to the label that gave him the platform to become the Superstar, has shifted to the Pop Stars Mum.

According to reports, Banky W supposedly went to Wizkid’s Mum seeking her intervention in the crisis as it was becoming clearer that they (EME) were losing their hottest prospect yet.

Banky, also has not failed in dousing the media speculation that his prodigy has left EME as he described such reports as ‘nothing but rumours’.

COSON: UNVEILS WEEK OF ACTIVITIES. [Photos Inside]

The Copyright Society of Nigeria has unveiled plans for its COSON Week 2013 at a star studded conference that held place at The Protea Hotel in G.R.A, Ikeja.

The conference had in attendance music heavy weights Rugged Man, Banky W, Weird Mc, Chidinma, Kofi, Ras Kimono, KSB, Nomoreloss, Evaezi, Azeezat, Segun Obe. Actors such as Ikeagwu Kalu, Femi Brainard and Alex Okoroji also graced the occasion.