The ongoing crisis rocking Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), became more intense when the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) suspended the operating license of the collecting society.
In a letter, the Director-General of NCC Afam Ezekude, on Thursday instructed the Tony Okoroji-led COSON to stop from negotiating and collecting royalties on behalf of copyright owners until further notice.
“The suspension is consequent upon the continued failure and/or refusal of your organisation to carry out the directive of the Commission issued vides letter reference NCC/DG/132/1/66 dated 19th February 2018.
“In view of the foregoing, you are to henceforth desist from negotiating and granting copyright licenses, collecting royalties on behalf of copyright owners, or otherwise performing any functions of a collective management organisation, except directed by the commission,” the NCC letter read in part.
Ezekude in the letter added that the refusal of COSON to comply with the NCC directive will attract sanctions.
Reacting to the suspension, COSON board called for calm of members of the commission. They also promised to ensure that the license is lifted soon.
“We have just been informed of the suspension of the operating licence of COSON. This situation has been brought upon the society by the intransigence of Chief Tony Okoroji, acting in concert with some individuals who have benefited from using artists royalties to fester their own nests.
“We advise both members of COSON, and our licensees not to panic. The legitimate board will work with the NCC to ensure that normalcy is returned in the shortest possible time and that the suspension of the licence is lifted,” COSON board said.