The House of Reps has revealed its move to amend copyright laws in the country in order to safeguard the rights of artists and reposition the entertainment industry.
The decision was reached following the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent importance sponsored by Mr Babajimi Benson, representing the Ikorodu federal constituency of Lagos state.
The House stated its pledges particularly to develop and implement industry-wide guidelines that ensure fair treatment, transparent contractual agreements, and proper compensation for artists, review of existing copyright and contract laws in Nigeria, identifying gaps that need to be bridged and areas in need of reform as well as to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including record labels, artists, legal experts, and industry associations.
The House committees on justice and legislative compliance were mandated to ensure compliance to this effect by Speaker Tajudeen Abass.
A minute of silence in honour of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, was observed in the House.
Just as the house promised to monitor the ongoing investigation, particularly the allegations of harassment and unpaid royalties to the deceased, it resolved to invite the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) to put measures in place immediately to protect the rights of Mohbad’s songs and lyrics, address copyright infringements and ensure the proper management of his musical assets while securing his son’s benefits from his musical legacy.
Benson, while moving the motion, recalled that Mohbad left his record label, Marlian Records, owned by Azeez Fashola, aka, Naira Marley, in 2022, citing various grievances, including unpaid royalties.”This is indicative of a broader problem in which artists encounter challenges asserting their rights”, he said.
