In Port Harcourt, audio-visual stakeholders chart path forward

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THE Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) successfully took its message of enlightening stakeholders about respecting intellectual property rights to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, September 19.

The forum attended by private and public players saw the Chairman of the country’s sole collective management organisation responsible for audio-visual works, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, giving insights into its operations and the benefits to producers and users.

Ali-Balogun, who had earlier visited some broadcast stations in the city, explained that the event would enable audio-visual copyright owners and users to engage meaningfully and get clarity on AVRS’s role as a Collective Management Organization (CMO).

He added that it was part of AVRS’s outreach, also meant to educate the public, promote collaboration between it and the user community in Rivers State and address copyright concerns and challenges.

Listing the other objectives of the event, the filmmaker said it included introducing and highlighting the programmes and services of the AVRS, enhancing the overall public awareness of audio-visual rights, promoting compliance with copyright laws and regulations among users of audio-visual works, and being a valuable platform to seek feedback and suggestions.

The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibiwari Charity Clapton Ogolo, who welcomed participants, said the forum underscored the significance of audio-visual works and intellectual property in the emerging economy.

She said, “There is no doubt that piracy, illegal copying and unauthorised use of intellectual property has dealt severe blows to copyright owners. Thus, your struggle over the years culminated in establishing a law which mandates organisations that publicly and commercially use audio-visual works for entertainment to be properly licensed by AVRS. This action remains the catalyst for the continuous growth of the creative industries and should be supported by everyone.”

A director in the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Freddy Ndigbarra, further assured the AVRS of the government’s commitment to collaborating with it and the creative industries within the state.

He said their joint objective is to advance the recognition of creators’ rights and guarantee that all entitlements due to rights holders in Rivers State are duly awarded.

Ndigbarra also urged the leadership of AVRS to maintain open communication with the Ministry, ensuring their active involvement in all state activities to maximise outcomes for the stakeholders in Rivers State.

The actor and academic, Dr Sam Dede, appealed to all public and commercial users of audio-visual work within Rivers State and beyond to collaborate closely with AVRS.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that all outstanding royalties owed to actors, filmmakers, and individuals who contribute their talent and resources to the film industry are promptly and fairly compensated while still alive. Dede said it was unjust for creators and filmmakers to invest their talent, time, energy, and resources in producing valuable content that drives businesses without reaping the appropriate rewards.

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