Copyright infringement: AVRS slams suit against Transcorp Hilton
Federal High Court in Abuja will be hearing a motion for interlocutory injuction, seeking to restrain Transcorp Hilton from using its business arena for public performance or communication to the public of audiovisual works or Cinematograph films on Wednesday May 25 byJustice Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo.
This application is coming from a suit filed by Audiovisual Rights Society Limited/Gte (AVRS) seeking declaratory reliefs and injuctions against the defendant.
Entertainment lawyer, Mr Justin Ige from Creative Legal acting as counsel to AVRS, is asking the Federal High Court Abuja, to restrain the hotel from “permitting any place or facility of public entertainment or business, belonging to or controlled by the Defendant (Transcorp Hilton), to be used for the public performance or communication to the public of Audiovisual works or Cinematograph films comprised of copyrights or performer’s rights belonging to the Plaintiff, the Plaintiff’s members, assignees and/or affiliates without the license of the Plaintiff pending the final determination of this suit”
Justice Taiwo, will hear arguments of parties on the issue to decide if Transcorp Hotel should continue to allow access to films belonging to AVRS and its members without an AVRS license.
The chairman of the board of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun said, “History is upon us. Nigeria will tell us whether the likes of Transcorp Hilton are right to totally disregard audiovisual rights, or trample on the rights of creative people”
Last year, AVRS, who is the Nigerian Copyright Management Organisation for audiovisual works, sued the defendant for N1bn for copyright infringement and refusal to comply with copyright laws.
The Nation/Oluchi.O
