I
keep talking about our blatant lack of regard for copyright issues in
this part of the world.
According
to some international entertainment marketers last week, apart
from South Africa, the rest of Africa is a Jungle they do not
even bother with. Because it is simply too hard to talk sense into us
where copyright issues are concerned.
Producers
and artistes spend time, money and effort on filming, developing and
releasing their hardwork. And what do we do? We go ahead and
milk their work for all it is worth without due protocol. TV
stations show movies that are barely out of the Cinema in this
country without stopping to think! Two weeks ago a TV station in this
country actually showed ‘Ollumpus has Fallen” while it was still
in cinemas!
How
do we do these things without first contacting the producer or
anybody associated with the production and we find it alright? How do
we expect them to get paid? How do we expect them to make a living?
This may just be the main reason why the regular artiste on
this side of the globe remains broke! Well some people do not take
such ignorance lying down and they include Nollywood ace producer,
Charles Novia!
According
to GhanaCelebrities.com, Nollywood Film Producer and popular critic,
Charles Novia is suing a top cable channel in Ghana, Viasat One, for
one million dollars for copyright infringement. Viasat One
is accused of broadcasting ‘Atlanta’ a 26 episode comedy series
on polygamy, illegally on their channel with no documented
permission or contract from November Productions, Novia’s company.
According
to a statement by Charles Novia:
“I
was surprised when a friend called me from Ghana to praise
the production values of the episode being shown. Upon enquiry as to
where he watched the episode, knowing that it finished its
territorial run on Nigerian terrestrial television a few months ago,
I was told it has been showing on Viasat One since late 2012!
Shocked, I got the company’s contact details and called their line.
I was politely rebuffed even when I identified myself as the genuine
Producer and copyright owner of the series being broadcast illegally.
I was told that a so-called ‘agent’ gave them the series which
they acquired. They refused to tell me more than that and stopped
short of telling me to go to hell.
Being
a strong advocate of anti-piracy laws in Nigeria and Africa as well
as a copyright rights activist, this is a clear case of an abuse of
my intellectual copyright by a major African company and I will not
take it lying low. My lawyers have been briefed and are instituting
a criminal case of copyright infringement in a few hours
against the company. All the relevant copyright and
legal organisations in Nigeria and Ghana have been sent
letters informing them of this anomaly.”
This
is the first of its kind I am hearing. Perhaps the industry in Africa
is getting serious?
There is always a first time for everything. Every day for the thief but one day for the ....
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