The Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) has filed a copyright infringement suit against Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
According to a statement signed by AVRS Acting General Manager, Olubukola Adeyemi, the lawsuit, which was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja is seeking the award of about one billion naira in unpaid royalties and damages against Transcorp Hilton Hotel for the unauthorized copying, communication to the public, public performance and violation of the copyright in audio-visual works belonging to AVRS members, affiliates and assignors.
Speaking on the development, AVRS Chairman, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, said the body had reached out to the management of Transcorp Hilton but all pleas to do the right thing fell on deaf ears.
“We have been very patient with users. We have demonstrated high level of civility. We have been strategic and thoughtful in our approach. We have even gone to them pleading that they do the right thing. Rather than reciprocate our kind gestures and respect the intellectual property of our creators and members, the Transcorp Hilton Hotel has continued unabated to infringe on the copyright of our members. Their lawyer even told us that their clients do not watch movies/films in their hotel rooms. So, they left us with no choice but to bring the full weight of the law on them. Copyright is property and anyone who must deploy our creative contents in their facilities must pay for it,” he said.
The statement reiterated that the AVRS will ensure “all commercial or public users of audiovisual works comply with the law.”
Reacting, veteran Nollywood actor and AVRS director, Jide Kosoko said: “Monkey cannot be working and baboon is busy chopping and getting fat from the sweat of the monkey. Our films and movies are our creations and intellectual property and for any hotel, broadcaster, restaurant, lounges and salons to use them, they must pay and compensate us for them, that is what AVRS stands for.”
The AVRS recalled how its members picketed Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos, last month, following its failure to comply with the copyright law, adding that the hotel has since resolved the matter and has since begun complying with their copyright obligation to AVRS.
It also mentioned that other hotels such as Eko Hotel & Suites, Sheraton Hotels, Federal Palace Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Southern Sun Hotels, Wheat Baker Hotels, among others have continued to meet their copyright obligations to AVRS.
