Music  

MCSN woos COSON, seeks reconciliation of royalties

By Bertram Nwannekanma

14 June 2017   |   2:47 am

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The letter, signed by MCSN’s Chairman, Orits Williki, and copied to the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, stated that areas, details and processes of collaboration would be explored and discussed on the receipt of COSON’s positive disposition to the invitation.

Tony Okoroji

Sequel to its approval and licencing to operate as rights and royalties collective society by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) Ltd/Gte has approached the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) for collaboration and reconciliation of accounts. MCSN, in a letter to COSON and its chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, has invited COSON to consider the possibility of collaboration and cooperation for mutual benefits of individual members, affiliates and clients.

The letter, signed by MCSN’s Chairman, Orits Williki, and copied to the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, stated that areas, details and processes of collaboration would be explored and discussed on the receipt of COSON’s positive disposition to the invitation.
 
In the letter recently obtained by The Guardian, MSCN noted that it has been approached by a number of its members, affiliates and licensors demanding payment of royalties due to them. The demands are on royalties collected by COSON for the exploitation their works by broadcast organisaitons, telecommunication companies, hotels, bars and allied places and platforms in the past seven years.

MSCN listed some of its members, who have made such demands to include Orits Williki, Dr. Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, (King Sunny Ade), Charlie Boy, Dr. Orlando Owoh and others.

Edris Abdukareem, Michael Okri, Performing Right Society Limited, Mechanical Copy Right Society Limited, Kennis Music, Estate of late Benedict Odiase, Stingomania records, while the affiliates and exclusive licensors include, but not limited to, Broadcast Music Inc., SGAE, IMRO, MACP, SACM and ZAMCOPS.

MCSN, therefore, requests COSON, as a matter of urgency, for an account of royalties collected and allocated to these and other members and their affiliates with remittance of due sum without delay.