DJs Risk Five-Year Jail Term for Playing Music Without Licence — NCC
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has warned disc jockeys (DJs) that playing music publicly without a valid license could lead to a five-year jail term or a fine of at least N1 million.
The NCC Director-General, John Asein, issued the warning in an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of DJs performing music in public without obtaining the appropriate copyright licences from recognised collective management organisations (CMOs).
According to him, “Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act.”
He added, “Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to both.”
Asein explained that the Copyright Act 2022 gives only copyright owners the exclusive rights to reproduce, perform, or communicate their work to the public.
He urged DJs to obtain the necessary licences and pay royalties to the approved CMO before engaging in public performances.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria is the Musical Copyright Society, Nigeria (MCSN).
“The Commission is aware that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), as the umbrella body representing DJs in Nigeria, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN.
“Under the arrangement, DJAN is authorised to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by DJs nationwide, based on the tariff that DJAN had negotiated with MCSN,” he said.
Asein also warned that the commission will arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the law.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
