Want NCC's deadline on collecting societies maintained

Ahead of December 31 deadline by the Nigeria Copyrights Commission (NCC), in which Collection Management Organizations (CMOs) otherwise called copyrights collecting agencies should submit their forms for licensing, Stakeholders have lamented the colossal loss of accruable fund to artistes as a result of lack of CMOs following the NCC's guidelines.

According to the group, apart from their loss, government is also affected a lot in terms of revenue due in form of taxes from royalties.

NCC had set some guideline for CMOs interested in collection of royalties for artiste in Nigeria, which included the payment of a fee of N250, 000.00 as a registration fee. Not still satisfied with the turn out, the commission extended the deadline for registration to December 31, 2009 to allow organizations that are more interesting to apply for the license.

Addressing the media on the issue at the weekend, the composer of the Nigeria National Anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase, asked NCC not to extend the date further because of the huge funds being loss by artistes. Rather, he called on the commission to ensure that the deadline date is maintained.

"In this global age of creative Information technology, the prevalence of nations would be predicated not just on the inspired expression of the deep inner uniqueness of individuals and Corporate Society but also on the administration of their rights. The administration of these rights must be such that both individual and the corporate society are affected in the designing benefits for which we have been divinely gifted."

Odiase stressed that the administration of effective copyright is strategic not just for the benefits of the respective individuals and members of creative organisations, but a formidable platform for the sustainable exploration of the deeper pool of creative potential for our natural evolutions as a people of great reckoning.

"Therefore if that enviable higher dimension of our dreams and relevance as a peculiar people of our nation must be attained, our responsive natural agencies must as a matter of objective priority endorse the establishment of relevant copy right organizations with the proficiency in copyright works.

Also speaking, singer Yinka Davis, called on NCC to register those who had apply within the deadline, adding that another postponement will cause the artiste a lot of money.

"NCC should look into the money; we are losing as artiste in Nigeria since the guideline was release and the expiration of the licence of previous collectors. We are asking them to make the issue clearer because we are suffering and losing a lot."

Under the Copyright Act, Collective Management Organizations may apply to NCC in the schedule upon payment of prescribed fees for grant of license to operate as a collective management Organisation. Every company applying for licence to operate as a CMO shall furnish NCC with following documents; a certificate of registration in respect of the company, issue under the companies and Allied matters Act, the memorandum of association of the company.

However, NCC may accept an application of a company, if it is satisfied that all the requirements stipulated in the Act and under these regulations for grant of a licence have been met. Works eligible for copyright under the Act include literary works, musical works, artistic works; cinematograph films sound recordings and broadcasts.