COSON makes bold statement at Africast 2014

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings joins hundreds of broadcast stakeholders across Africa at the 2014 edition of Africa’s Investment Platform for Broadcast Content & Technology (AFRICAST).

The event which is organized every two years by the Mr. Emeka Mba-led National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) brought together broadcast organizations, content providers, the academia, broadcast partners, distributors and marketers of broadcast contents and equipment to the Federal Capital Territory from October 21 to 23, 2014.

COSON which has the mandate to protect the rights of thousands of her members and affiliates from across the world whose works fuel the broadcast industry in Nigeria and beyond will be on hand to enlighten participating stakeholders on the issue of music copyright as it affects their operations. At the COSON Stand, anyone who wishes to obtain a music copyright licence will be able to do so. Right owners who wish to join the membership of COSON can also take advantage of the presence of the society at AFRICAST.

At AFRICAST 2014 with the theme, ‘Digital Broadcast Content: Production, Sourcing & Delivery’ the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, one of Africa’s best known experts on intellectual property rights, will deliver an important paper entitled Rights Issues in the Digital Era.

Speaking on the event, the COSON Chairman said, “COSON is always eager to engage organizations and partners who depend on content created by our members and foreign affiliates. At COSON, we believe that knowledge is power. It is our hope that AFRICAST 2014 will throw open the doors to a more vibrant broadcast industry in Nigeria where the rights of creators are upheld. I call on all stakeholders in the music and the broadcast industry in Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities that AFRICAST offers by attending one of the most important events in the country.”

According to a statement signed by Maryee Uket on behalf of COSON, the high point of the three-day event, which closes today, Thursday, October 24, is the assessment of the continent’s digital switch over from analogue; an action which when implemented will allow for more efficient tracking and monitoring of content deployed by broadcast stations, resulting in proper remuneration for right holders.