The Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) has signed a historic Audio visual right agreement with the Hotel owners and managers’ association of Lagos (HOMAL) at the prestigious EKO Hotel and Suites Lagos.
The Agreement, which took 3 (three) years of active deliberation and negotiation finally saw all parties agreeing on the need to compensate rights owners of audio-visual works for the commercial use of their works in Hotels and similar establishment.
According to a press statement signed by the General Manager/CEO of
Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo-Fawole, the agreement finally ended the three years deliberations, negotiations and multiple disagreements between the Audio-Visual Collecting Society and HOPESEA/HOMAL.
The signing of the historic agreement was witnessed by the Lagos Zonal Director of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, ably represented by Barr. Monica Anabor, Mr. Bond Emeruwa (AVRS Chairman), Mrs Olubunmi Fawole (GM AVRS), Mr. Emmanuel Isikaku (Director), Chief Samuel Alabi (HOMAL Chairman), and Mr. Adeniyi Ologun (HOMAL Secretary).
Representing the Hotel owners and managers’ association, Chief Samuel Alabi commended the efforts of the AVRS management board for their perseverance, doggedness, patience and commitment over the years, he added that though the negotiation meetings took a long time, it was a great thing that both parties finally resolved the issue amicably.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Bond Emeruwa, the AVRS Chairman appreciated the HOMAL representatives for their willingness to ensure that intellectual property rights in the Audio – Visual sector of the Nigerian Creative industry is recognized and remunerated.
He stressed the need for other commercial users of Audio – Visual works such as the Broadcasting Stations, Cable retransmission Houses/Companies, Airlines, Transportation Companies, Retail Outlets, Salons, Online platforms and other public users to take the bull by the horn and get their Licenses from AVRS to avoid Copyright infringement and the penalties involved.
In pursuance to the provision of section 39 of the Copyright Act Cap C28, Laws of t he Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Copyright (Collective Management Organization) Regulations 2007, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) with the prior consent of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, granted approval to Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) to operate as the sole Collective Management Organization for Films in Nigeria.
Members of the public and in particular, persons or organizations whose business and operations involve the commercial use of films, such as, Broadcasting stations, Cable transmitting and re-transmitting companies, a
dvertising agencies, Hotels, Restaurants and relaxation spots; Transportation companies including luxurious buses operators, Airlines and airport facility managers, Super stores and retail outlets and Cinema Houses are by this notice advised to make legitimate use of films or any Audio-visual materials, by obtaining appropriate Licence from the Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS)(LTD/GTE).