The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)
has issued a two- week ultimatum to Nigerian
hotels demanding payment of royalties for music
played by them.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the
Society’s Senior Executive, News Media, Mayree
Uket, said that defaulters would be sanctioned.
It said that the December 2012 agreement on music
copyright rates between COSON and Hotels and
Personal Services Association of Nigeria
(HOPESEA) was still in force.
It quoted COSON’s General Manager, Mr Chinedu
Chukwuji, as saying that “anyone who thinks that
COSON is joking about this has to be ready for the
full force of COSON’’. “We have a good relationship with HOPESEA
leadership and with the leadership of other
associations like Hotel Owners Forum Abuja
(HOFA). “These organisations held us down to serious
negotiations that lasted about two years.
“The leadership of HOPESEA got a rate on behalf of
their members which is the lowest rate anyone can
get anywhere in the world.
The statement noted that some hotel owners
appear not to appreciate what their leadership had
done, adding that anyone familiar with COSON
would know that “we do not say what we will not
do’’. “We are determined to take on the recalcitrant
hotels full blast; we have been very patient but now
we will employ the full instruments of the law.’’
The statement urged hotel operators to adhere to
the agreement.
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