The recent public outcry against movie
piracy may have triggered a resurgence of interest in the protection of
intellectual property among film makers across the country who turned out in
exceptionally large numbers at the stakeholders’ sensitization fora recently
organized by Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) respectively in
Asaba, Delta State capital, and the ancient city of Benin, Edo State.
It would be recalled that following its
approval by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in November 2014 as the
nation’s sole Collective Management Organization for audio-visual works, AVRS
had kick-started its enlightenment campaign activities in February 2015
with Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos to
enlighten stakeholders in the film industry on the purpose, nature and
operations of AVRS, as well as their rights and obligations to the Society,
with a view to establishing cordial working relationships with various
stakeholders in the film industry.
Chosen for their reputation as active
movie production hubs in the South East and South-
South axis, the Asaba Forum attracted
film makers from Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia and Aba, while Benin had
participants from Agbor, Warri, Ekpoma and Port Harcourt in attendance.
Addressing the Forum at the prestigious
Orchid Hotel, Asaba, Chairman of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun traced the long
and painstaking process of the formation of AVRS and various activities leading
to its approval on November 20, 2014 by the Nigerian Copyright Commission.
The Delta State Commissioner for Culture
and Tourism, Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo who graced the event, expressed happiness
that despite the initial delays in registration and approval, AVRS had finally
commenced operations. He described the Society as “an idea whose time has come
and the beginning of a new journey towards a greater tomorrow in the
audio-visual industry”.
A director of AVRS and erstwhile
president of Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria
(FVPMAN), Mr. Emmanuel Isikaku bemoaned the apathetic disposition of some
stakeholders towards embracing new ideas. He made it clear that AVRS had
become, in its short period of operations, the rallying point for stakeholders
in the fight against movie piracy, and enjoined everyone to support the Society
to achieve her objectives.
In his own remarks, Onitsha based film
producer and marketer and director of AVRS, Chief Osita Okeke (Ossy Afasson)
reminded his colleagues from the South-East that their failure over the years
to come out and participate fully in the activities of the movie industry had
given their counterparts in Lagos an edge, making the industry appear more like
a Lagos affair. He appealed to them to have a change of attitude or lose their
benefits, as their laid-back posture would not stop initiatives like AVRS from
thriving. Other directors of AVRS who spoke in similar manner were Mr. Andy
Amenechi and Mr. Patrick Doyle who anchored the event.
General Manager of AVRS, Eme Akiba-Eyo,
stressed the need for stakeholders to become registered members and assignees
of the Society. Displaying samples of the AVRS membership application form,
work declaration form and deed of assignment, she made it clear that ownership
of audio-visual content or rights did not confer automatic membership of AVRS
on any stakeholder. In her words, “It is very important for a right owner to
fill the membership application form which is free, the works declaration form
which serves as a proof of content ownership, and the deed of assignment which
empowers the Society to represent you, protect your intellectual property
rights and ensure that your royalties get to you as and when due”.
In Benin, the Forum which held on April
23rd, 2015 at the exclusive Prestige Hotel, took a similar pattern.
The interactive sessions at both meetings provided stakeholders with the
opportunity to express their support for the Society, voice their concerns and
seek clarifications from the directors on all grey areas.
Chief Peddy Okao, a director of AVRS who
coordinated the Benin forum, enjoined every stakeholder present to take
advantage and see the establishment of AVRS as additional revenue stream
source. He opined that AVRS will use every means at its disposal to collect and
distribute to its members revenue that had been hitherto inaccessible by right
owners.
Clarifications were given by the General
Manager on the role of AVRS as a collecting society serving as a middleman
between the right owners and the users of their works on different platforms
exploitation. She stressed that AVRS is the only body that is licensed to
collect and distribute royalties in the audio visual sector.
The stakeholders expressed total support
for AVRS and thanked the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Nigerian Film
Corporation, World Intellectual Property Organization and the Norwegian
Copyright Development Organization for the roles they played towards the
establishment of the Society.
The Asaba and Benin meetings recorded
remarkable participation by members of relevant Nollywood guilds and
associations including the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association
of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors’ Guild of
Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Screen Writers
Guild of Nigeria. With more than 350 persons in attendance, prominent Nollywood
personalities present at both meetings included Kenneth Izuogu, Chief Fabian
Dim, Iyke Odife, Jerry Amillio, George Edmond, Ugezu J. Ugezu, Henry Legema,
Ifeanyi Azodo, Iyen Agbonifo, Young Emiko, Dom Onu, Leo Ewuzie, Chimdi Chiama,
Osagie Ezekiel, Emma Odeli, Akachukwu Ibe, Emeka Iwemba and Ogonna Mbonu.
Others are Baba Cliff, West Osasuyi, Eunice Omoregie, Amen Imasuen and Democracy
Omoregie.
The interactive sessions at both
meetings provided stakeholders with the opportunity to express their support
for AVRS, voice their concerns and seek clarifications from the directors in
areas such as assignment of rights, licensing and reciprocal agreements.
With the Lagos, Asaba and Benin
Stakeholders’ Fora concluded, it is expected that the AVRS sensitization train
would be heading to Kano, Abuja, Jos and other significant movie production
hubs across the country.
7 Comments
They're doing great job
ReplyDeleteFilm makers need use every means to deal with piracy.
ReplyDeleteNice one.
ReplyDeleteAli Balogun has contributed plenty for the industry
ReplyDeleteKudos to them
ReplyDeleteNice job!
ReplyDeleteRMD said it all
ReplyDelete