MCSN Slams Multichoice with N29bn Suit over Alleged Copyright Violation

The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has sued cable outfit, Multichoice Nigeria Limited at the Federal High Court demanding N29 billion for the alleged violation of its copyright.

In an ex-parte order, MCSN secured an ANTON PILLER order on January 12, 2024, to enter the office or premises of Multichoice Nigeria Limited to seize, detain, and preserve the infringing devices, tapes, transmitters, and any contrivances or equipment. l and inspect any document and broadcast logs however stored, relating to this suit, in the custody or under the control of the defendants (Multichoice).

The Federal High Court, Lagos, also gave an interim order against Defendant preventing/restraining the Defendant from recording, synchronising, performing by any means whatsoever, broadcasting and communicating to the public or causing the doing of any of the acts in musical works and sound recordings which copyright are vested in the plaintiff within the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed herein.

Finally, the Court gave an interim order directing the Defendant to post (or make available) an acceptable bank guarantee from a reputable commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) within the Jurisdiction of this honourable Court to cover the claims of the Plaintiff plus interest in the sum of N29,434,342,340.20 (TwentyNine Billion, Four Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Forty-two Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty Naira, Twenty kobos) only and for same to be made available (within fourteen(14) days of this order to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this Honorable Court pending the hearing and determination of the motion on filed herein.