The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to Disc Jockeys (DJs) against publicly performing other people’s music without obtaining the necessary licences or authorisation from the rightful owners.
Dr John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, gave the warning in an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja.
He noted that the commission had observed a growing trend among DJs who publicly perform musical works without securing the appropriate copyright licences from rights holders or their approved Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).
According to Asein, sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, confer exclusive rights on copyright owners to reproduce, perform, or communicate their works to the public.
“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” he said.
“Such infringement may amount to a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million, imprisonment of not less than five years, or both.”
He explained that a DJ’s public performance of music—whether in hotels, event centres, clubs, gardens, or recreational venues—constitutes both a public performance and communication to the public under the law.
Asein urged DJs to obtain proper licences and pay royalties to the approved CMO before carrying out such performances.
“For clarity, the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria is the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN),” he stated.
He added that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), the recognised national body for DJs, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN to facilitate royalty payments by DJs nationwide, based on a negotiated tariff.
The Director-General emphasised that the NCC would not hesitate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found violating the law.
He noted that the commission would collaborate with relevant authorities to support DJAN’s initiative and ensure DJs comply fully with the Copyright Act.
(NAN)