MTN Nigeria: NCC sues telecom company for copyright infringement

Per the charge, the offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (2)(a) and 20 (2)(b) of the Copyright Act, Cap C28 Laws of the Federation 2004.

A few hours after reports that South Africa-based MTN Group was planning to challenge the fine imposed on its Nigerian arm by the NCC, new media reports have surfaced revealing that the Nigerian Copyright Commission has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria and its Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, over alleged copyright infringement.

According to a report by Premium Times, the charge, with number ABJ/CR/379/2015 filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.

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In the charge – a two-count charge – signed by prosecutor for the NCC and copyright inspector, Marypauline Olere-Luma, MTN and Moolman allegedly infringed on the musical work of an Abuja-based musician, Dovie Omenuwoma-Eniwo (AKA Baba 2010).

 

According to the report, the defendants allegedly took steps to “distribute, sell or let for hire or for the purposes of trade or business, expose or offer for sale 3009 infringing copies of the musical work’’ of Baba 2010.

Per the charge, the offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (2)(a) and 20 (2)(b) of the Copyright Act, Cap C28 Laws of the Federation 2004.

NAN reports that no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case yet.