The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian disc jockeys (DJs) against playing copyrighted music without proper licensing, citing potential penalties including imprisonment and heavy fines.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in an advisory released on Wednesday, stated that DJs who fail to obtain appropriate copyright licenses from rights holders or their accredited Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) risk prosecution under the 2022 Copyright Act.
According to the Director-General of the NCC, Dr. John Asein, offenders could face up to five years in prison or a fine of N1 million for unauthorized use of copyrighted musical works.
“Public performance of music by DJs at event centres, hotels, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities without permission amounts to both a public performance and communication to the public of a sound recording,” Asein said. “Such actions constitute copyright infringement under Sections 9 and 12 of the Act.”
The Commission urged DJs and event organisers to comply with copyright regulations to avoid legal consequences.
