Music <\/p>\n
In September 2022, the singer sued the telecommunications company, Airtel Network Limited for \u201cunauthorised use\u201d of her musical work.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The Federal High Court, Ikoyi, has ordered Airtel Nigeria to pay Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira (N210 million) to Veno Marioghae Mbanefo for copyright infringement.<\/p>\n
Presiding Judge Honourable Justice Ibrahim Kala handed down the judgment after finding that Airtel Nigeria unlawfully used Mbanefo\u2019s song, \u201cNigeria Go Survive,\u201d without her authorisation.<\/p>\n
The ruling marks a significant legal victory for the artist and underscores the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria\u2019s entertainment industry.<\/p>\n
In September 2022, the singer sued the telecommunications company, Airtel Network Limited for \u201cunauthorised use\u201d of her musical work.<\/p>\n
In a statement sent to SaharaReporters at the time, the veteran singer said she \u201cfound out a few months ago, that Airtel had been using my song, \u2018Nigeria Go Survive,\u2019 to market their products, using their telemarketing numbers, without my permission.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the discovery, I contacted my lawyer, Rockson Igelige of Felix, Igelige and Associates, who promptly wrote to them. Rather than look into our authentic claim, they responded by not only denying all culpability, but also defamed me and threatened criminal charges against me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe then took our case, backed by our witnesses, IT & Evaluation Specialist and evidence, to the Nigeria Copyright Commission which began an investigation into our claim.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the criminal investigation into our claim is still on, my lawyers and I are, however, filing a civil suit against Airtel on 23\/9\/22 at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos to show how they have flagrantly not only infringed on my copyright by using my song without permission, but have also brazenly denied all responsibility, despite all evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The veteran artiste earlier in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Network Limited, Ikoyi, Lagos, accused the telecoms company of using her song, \u2018Nigeria Go Survive\u2019 to promote its TV app and \u2018The Voice Nigeria\u2019, without her permission.<\/p>\n
The letter signed by her lawyer, R. A. Igelige Esq asked the telecoms company to \u201ccease and desist forthwith from further infringing on the copyright of our Client to the aforementioned musical work\u201d.<\/p>\n
It also asked Airtel to \u201cpay to our client the sum of N50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) for the unauthorised commercial and also derogatory use of her musical work\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTake notice that if we do not receive an adequate response within 21 days of receipt of this letter, we shall take all proper steps to seek legal remedy for our Client, including legal action for injunctive relief, criminal charges and damages, without further notice to you.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward, however, to your prompt response towards an amicable resolution of this matter,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
The letter read in part, \u201cWe are solicitors to Veno Marioghae Mbanefo (our Client), a musician and entertainer residing in Lagos and we write this letter on her behalf.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Client is the author and copyright owner of the musical work entitled \u2018Nigeria Go Survive\u2019 being used by your Mobile Network Company (Airtel) to promote your TV app, and also to promote \u2018The Voice Nigeria.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Client\u2019s attention has been drawn to your use, without permission or licence, of her aforementioned musical work. Specifically, you have appropriated the work to promote your TV app and also used it to advertise \u2018The Voice Nigeria.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy not obtaining our Client\u2019s prior permission or licence before engaging repeatedly in this act or acts, your company\u2019s conduct is a flagrant and deliberate infringement of her copyright. It also amounts to stealing and wilful deprivation with the intent to unjustly enrich your company and deny our Client of the legitimate fruits of her labour, thereby inflicting hardship on her,\u201d her lawyer added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n