The
recent public outcry against movie piracy may have triggered a resurgence of
interest in the protection of intellectual property among film makers across
the country who turned out in exceptionally large numbers at the stakeholders’
sensitization forum recently organized by Audio-Visual Rights Society of
Nigeria (AVRS) respectively in Asaba, Delta State capital, and the ancient city
of Benin, Edo State.
Recall that
following its approval by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in November
2014 as the nation’s sole Collective Management Organization for audio-visual
works, AVRS had kick-started its enlightenment campaign activities in February
2015 with Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos
to enlighten stakeholders in the film industry on the purpose, nature and
operations of AVRS, as well as their rights and obligations to the Society,
with a view to establishing cordial working relationships with various
stakeholders in the film industry.
Chosen
for their reputation as active movie production hubs in the South East and
South-South axis, the Asaba Forum attracted film makers from Enugu, Onitsha,
Owerri, Umuahia and Aba, while Benin had participants from Agbor, Warri, Ekpoma
and Port Harcourt in attendance.
Addressing
the Forum at the prestigious Orchid Hotel, Asaba, Chairman of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood
Ali-Balogun traced the long and painstaking process of the formation of AVRS
and various activities leading to its approval on November 20, 2014 by the
Nigerian Copyright Commission.
The
Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo who
graced the event, expressed happiness that despite the initial delays in
registration and approval, AVRS had finally commenced operations. He described
the Society as “an idea whose time has come and the beginning of a new journey
towards a greater tomorrow in the audio-visual industry”.
A
director of AVRS and erstwhile president of Film and Video Producers and
Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Mr. Emmanuel Isikaku bemoaned the
apathetic disposition of some stakeholders towards embracing new ideas. He made
it clear that AVRS had become, in its short period of operations, the rallying
point for stakeholders in the fight against movie piracy, and enjoined everyone
to support the Society to achieve her objectives.
In his
own remarks, Onitsha based film producer and marketer and director of AVRS,
Chief Osita Okeke (Ossy Afasson) reminded his colleagues from the South-East
that their failure over the years to come out and participate fully in the
activities of the movie industry had given their counterparts in Lagos an edge,
making the industry appear more like a Lagos affair. He appealed to them to
have a change of attitude or lose their benefits, as their laid-back posture
would not stop initiatives like AVRS from thriving. Other directors of AVRS who
spoke in similar manner were Mr. Andy Amenechi and Mr. Patrick Doyle who
anchored the event.
General
Manager of AVRS, Eme Akiba-Eyo, stressed the need for stakeholders to become
registered members and assignees of the Society. Displaying samples of the AVRS
membership application form, work declaration form and deed of assignment, she
made it clear that ownership of audio-visual content or rights did not confer
automatic membership of AVRS on any stakeholder. In her words, “It is very
important for a right owner to fill the membership application form which is
free, the works declaration form which serves as a proof of content ownership,
and the deed of assignment which empowers the Society to represent you, protect
your intellectual property rights and ensure that your royalties get to you as
and when due”.
In
Benin, the Forum which held on April 23rd, 2015 at the exclusive Prestige
Hotel, took a similar pattern. The interactive sessions at both meetings
provided stakeholders with the opportunity to express their support for the
Society, voice their concerns and seek clarifications from the directors on all
grey areas.
Chief
Peddy Okao, a director of AVRS who coordinated the Benin forum, enjoined every
stakeholder present to take advantage and see the establishment of AVRS as
additional revenue stream source. He opined that AVRS will use every means at
its disposal to collect and distribute to its members revenue that had been
hitherto inaccessible by right owners.
Clarifications
were given by the General Manager on the role of AVRS as a collecting society
serving as a middleman between the right owners and the users of their works on
different platforms exploitation. She stressed that AVRS is the only body that
is licensed to collect and distribute royalties in the audio visual sector.
The
stakeholders expressed total support for AVRS and thanked the Nigerian
Copyright Commission, Nigerian Film Corporation, World Intellectual Property
Organization and the Norwegian Copyright Development Organization for the roles
they played towards the establishment of the Society.
The
Asaba and Benin meetings recorded remarkable participation by members of
relevant Nollywood guilds and associations including the Film and Video
Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Directors’ Guild of
Nigeria (DGN), Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers
(AMP) and the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria. With more than 350 persons in attendance,
prominent Nollywood personalities present at both meetings included Kenneth
Izuogu, Chief Fabian Dim, Iyke Odife, Jerry Amillio, George Edmond, Ugezu J.
Ugezu, Henry Legema, Ifeanyi Azodo, Iyen Agbonifo, Young Emiko, Dom Onu, Leo
Ewuzie, Chimdi Chiama, Osagie Ezekiel, Emma Odeli, Akachukwu Ibe, Emeka Iwemba
and Ogonna Mbonu. Others are Baba Cliff, West Osasuyi, Eunice Omoregie, Amen
Imasuen and Democracy Omoregie.
The
interactive sessions at both meetings provided stakeholders with the
opportunity to express their support for AVRS, voice their concerns and seek
clarifications from the directors in areas such as assignment of rights,
licensing and reciprocal agreements.
With
the Lagos, Asaba and Benin Stakeholders’ Fora concluded, it is expected that
the AVRS sensitization train would be heading to Kano, Abuja, Jos and other
significant movie production hubs across the country.
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