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NCC Suspends Operating License of COSON

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in line with the provision of Regulation 19 (2) of the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulation 2007 has suspended the Operating License of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (Ltd/Gte) (COSON) as a Collective Management organization for Music and Sound Recordings, following the approval of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN.

 

Mr. Afam Ezekude, director-general, NCC, who disclosed this in a document noted that the suspension is a follow-up to the continued failure and/or refusals of COSON to carry out the directive of the Commission issued vide its letter dated February 19, 2018.

 

The DG, had earlier conveyed the decision of the Commission to the General Manager of COSON, in a letter dated April 30, 2018.

 

According to the letter, COSON is to henceforth desist from negotiating and granting Copyright Licences, collecting Royalties on behalf of Copyright owners, or otherwise performing any functions of a Collective Management Organization, except otherwise directed by the Commission.

 

The Commission in a separate letter dated May 3, 2018 also directed the Management of COSON to refrain from making further withdrawals or expenses from the funds of COSON, within the period of suspension, except for purposes of meeting personnel emoluments. Other expenses of COSON, outside personnel emolument may however be made upon permission from the Director-General of the Commission.

 

Henceforth, the General Manager of COSON has been directed to forward to the Director-General, NCC, within 7 days, details of all bank accounts operated by COSON.

 

The DG said, the latter directive became necessary in view of the need to safeguard funds belonging to owners of Copyright in Music and Sound Recordings, whose works are administered by COSON, and to enable the Commission undertake necessary compliance checks in line with relevant provisions of the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007.

 

It would be recalled that the Commission received a petition from some members of the Governing Board of COSON, requesting the Commission to intervene and investigate the events at the Extra Ordinary General Meeting of COSON held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

 

After due consideration of the petition, the Commission issued directives to the Management of COSON, not to implement certain decisions irregularly taken at the extraordinary General Meeting held on December 19, 2017, which were ostensibly in breach of statutory provisions and regulations guiding the operations of COSON.

 

Following the issuance of the directive, the Commission received a letter dated February 23, 2018 signed by the General Manager of COSON, indicating clearly the unwillingness of Management of COSON to comply with the directive of the Commission.

 

Other activities of Management of COSON which are glaring in the public domain have also confirmed the refusal of the Management to comply with the directive of the Commission as it is obliged to do under relevant laws and regulation guiding its operations.

 

Ezekude,  has observed that the development in its entirety does not augur well for the development of Copyright administration in Nigeria.

 

Aside undermining the efficient administration of COSON to the utter disadvantage of authors and right owners in Music Industry, the continuing defiance of COSON Management to the directive of the Commission is a clear indication of its unwillingness to operate within the framework of the Copyright Act and Regulations guiding operations of Collective Management Organizations in Nigeria, for which there are clear consequences and sanctions.

 

The Commission has therefore advised Management of COSON to take necessary steps to comply with the directives of the Commission failing which further sanctions may be imposed on it in accordance with the provisions of the law.


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LG Electronics Brings the Rhythm to Nigeria with K-POP Fiesta

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LG Electronics, a global leader in technology and innovation, is delighted to announce the launch of the highly anticipated K-POP Fiesta contest in Nigeria.

This exciting event offers fans a unique platform to showcase their passion for Korean pop music and dance, while providing an opportunity to engage with fellow enthusiasts from all corners of the country.

The contest will be to four major cities in Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. The K-POP Fiesta contest aims to bring the electric energy and vibrant culture of K-POP to Nigeria, a country known for its love of music and dance.

The K-POP Contest invites talented individuals and groups to contest in various categories, including singing, dancing, and performance. As part of its commitment to fostering cultural exchange and embracing diversity

“We are excited to bring the K-POP Contest to Nigeria and provide a platform for talented individuals to shine,” said Mr. Hyoungsub Ji, Managing Director at LG Electronics West Africa.

“By taking the contest to multiple cities, we aim to reach a diverse range of participants and celebrate the rich cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria. Contestant will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes and recognition for their talent”.

“We are thrilled to bring the K-POP Fiesta contest to Nigeria, a country with a rich musical heritage. This event is a testament to LG’s dedication to providing unique and exciting experiences for our customers. We believe that K-POP has the power to unite people from different backgrounds and create a sense of joy and unity.” Mr. Hyoungsub added

The K-POP Contest tour will kick off in Ibadan on the 2nd and 3rd of May, where fans can experience the electrifying energy of K-POP through dance and singing competitions, and also interactive experiences. From there, the tour will travel to Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, giving aspiring performers in each location the chance to showcase their talent on a grand stage at the finale which will take place in Lagos sometime in June.

The K-POP Fiesta contest will provide participants with a platform to showcase their talent, creativity, and love for K-POP. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in various categories, including singing, dancing, and even creating their own K-POP-inspired music videos. The contest will be judged by a panel of industry experts, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation.

Three winners in music and dance will emerge at the regional contest in these four cities with five hundred thousand naira up for grabs while the winner at the grand finale gets two million naira plus other exciting prizes.

In addition to the contest, attendees will also have the opportunity to experience LG’s latest innovations in entertainment technology. From high-quality sound systems to immersive displays, LG continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment and lifestyle.

LG Electronics is committed to supporting and nurturing talent in Nigeria, and the K-POP Fiesta contest is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the company to empower individuals and encourage artistic expression. By bringing the K-POP phenomenon to Nigeria, LG aims to create a memorable experience for both participants and fans alike.

To participate in the K-POP Fiesta contest, fans can register online at https://www.lg.com/africa/LG-Kpop-Fiesta or Join the conversation on social media (Instagram) using the hashtag #LGKPOPNigeria.

The contest is open to all K-POP enthusiasts in Nigeria, regardless of age or background.

The event had in attendance Management of LG Electronics, Nigeria Video Jockey & TV Presenter, V.J Adams, Akunna Okechukwu, 2021 Nigerian Idol finalist, among others.

 


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Why Multichoice Hiked Subscriptions for DStv and GOtv Packages-  FCCPC 

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Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, acting Executive vice chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has disclosed that Multichoice submitted a four-page letter detailing the reasons for the price hikes in their cable services, GOtv and DStv.


Why Multichoice Hiked Subscriptions for DStv and GOtv Packages-  FCCPC 

FCCPC is responsible for protecting market competition and promoting consumer protection.

In an interview with Channels TV, Sunday, Abdullahi stated that the company cited the cost of electricity, generator operations and poor access to dollars as some of the reasons for the price increase.

He said the commission will review the reasons identified by Multichoice, noting that the agency will involve regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the process.

According to Abdullahi, the commission will not hesitate to sanction the firm if it discovers that their prices are arbitrary or it is in any way manipulating the market.

“We got a four-page letter from Multichoice, telling us the reason that led to this price increase. What we need to do is to bring in NCC and maybe NBC and Multichoice, sit down and look at all these variables that they claim caused the rise in prices.

“At a glance, we saw things like the cost of electricity, running generators, the cost of dollars for spare parts and so on. We’ll go through these items individually and find out how they have affected their operations.

“By and large, that’s the claim of what they are doing because they are a dominant player in this market. People have no choice but to go to them for Cable television, so that’s why they are doing what they are doing.

“If by any chance we find out or we can confirm that that’s what they are doing, again we go back to the law and do what we are supposed to do,” Abdullahi said.

Recall that the Multichoice Nigeria recently increased tariff or its DStv and GOtv packages by at least 25 per cent.

The increase,  second in five months will be effective May 1.


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How to Beat DStv Price Increase with ‘Price Lock’ Feature

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In today’s fast-paced world, where every penny counts, finding ways to save on essential services is more important than ever. And as part of its commitment to customer satisfaction, DStv has reiterated its “Price Lock” feature.

DStv Price lock

This is in response to the upcoming tariff increase, which the company understands may impose some financial strain on its valued customers.

What exactly does the “Price Lock” feature entail? The “Price Lock” feature offers customers the opportunity to retain their subscriptions at the current rate for 12 months.

To use the “Price Lock” feature, customers simply need to renew their subscriptions before the due date each month, ensuring uninterrupted access to their favourite DStv content at the current rate for the next 12 months.

But here’s the catch: only customers with an active subscription by the 30th of April qualify for this offer, when the tariff adjustment comes into effect.

Make sure you don’t miss the price lock offer! Simply download the MyDStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, upgrade, or set up Auto-Renewal.


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