Fed govt license MCSN as collecting society

AFTER  an extensive investigation into the refusal of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to approve Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) as a collecting society, the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has directed the NCC, to “issue with immediate effect, an approval by way of license to the MCSN to operate as a collecting society for the purpose of the Copyright Act.”

In the directive, the AGF stated that from his findings, he agrees with the resolutions of the National Assembly that; “the continued refusal to register the MCSN is casting the Commission as having compromised and pursuing only the interest of a particular section of the industry.”

The directive further states; “In considering applications for grant of license under the Act and its regulations, the Commission should desist from giving consideration to extraneous matters.

“The Copyright Act should be subject to review.”

Following the findings, the AGF thereby invoked the power conferred on him by Section 50 of the Copyright Act and as the Chief Law Officer of the Republic directed the NCC to comply with his earlier directive to issue with immediate effect, an approval by way of licence to MCSN to operate as a collecting society.

The Minister further directed the “NCC to withdraw any pending cases/appeals, criminal or otherwise instituted by the Commission in all courts.”

When contacted for his reaction, the Chairman of MCSN, Orits Williki, stated that he was short of words. He further expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.