MCSN settles rift with Multichoice on distribution of musical works

The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has finally settled the rift it had with Multichoice Nigeria Limited as the two organizations finally reached an amicable settlement on the judgment MCSN secured against Multichoice, both at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, on the broadcast and distribution of musical works in the repertoire of MCSN on all Multichoice channels within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The settlement agreement according to MCSN, covers other exploitations of MCSN’s repertoire on other sister platforms of Multichoice till December 31, 2020.

This development has now bestowed on MCSN and Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the status of sister organisations which must work for the success of each other, especially in the area of exploitation of and remuneration for intellectual works, notably musical works, sound recordings and ancillary works.

The MCSN has however assured those that have stake in the development to exercise patience while it follows due process in the distribution as the organisation had been besieged with series of inquiries and in some cases, outright demand for a share of the money paid to it by Multichoice immediately information filtered that Multichoice has settled with MCSN and payment has been made.

The organization stated that “in response to this inquiries and demands, MCSN would want to assure everyone that due process is being followed in dealing with the subject matter as follows:

MCSN’s Management would make a formal report of the outcome of the settlement to its relevant authorities, particularly the Board of Directors and Members’ General Meeting in formal communications and meetings.

“Management would then make proposals to the bodies on how the money should be allocated in line with best practices, all of which is still an ongoing process,” MCSN stated, noting that the settlement and payment were recorded in the course of the year 2021.

 “MCSN would draw a line between which years should what particular payment fall in and deal accordingly. For instance, MCSN has to determine what allocation would be made to each year from 2006 and who benefits from whatever distribution allocated to each year, from which all MCSN’s members and international affiliate societies would certainly benefit.

 “One thing which MCSN’s Management and Board have made clear in line with global best practices is that all liabilities from the past would not be loaded on and borne by this single payment, as this settlement is purely an opening for more past, present and future incomes. MCSN would therefore want to assure everyone that any and everyone who has any contractual, legal or even moral claim to the payment would certainly be paid, without any form of sentiment, emotion or blackmail,” it stated.

MCSN stated that those who have genuine stakes and claim in the organisation should keep their fingers crossed and await further development and directed that all members who have registered and been admitted into the membership of the society since 2006 should update their records, particularly their bank details with the society as the body has migrated from cheque and cash payments.

 

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