The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to disc jockeys (DJs) across the country, cautioning them against publicly playing music without proper authorisation or a valid copyright licence.
In an advisory released on Wednesday, NCC Director-General, John Asein, raised alarm over the increasing trend of DJs performing musical works in public spaces without obtaining the required permissions from recognised collective management organisations (CMOs).
Citing sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, Asein reminded the public that only copyright holders have the exclusive legal rights to reproduce, perform, or communicate their works to the public.
Any unauthorised use, he said, amounts to infringement.
“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” Asein stated.
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He further warned that violators could face civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution, with penalties including a fine of not less than N1 million or a jail term of not less than five years—or both, as provided under Section 44 (7) of the Act.
Asein urged DJs to obtain the appropriate licences and pay royalties before playing any copyrighted music in public, noting that the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) is the approved CMO responsible for licensing musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria.
The NCC also acknowledged that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), which represents DJs nationwide, has already entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MCSN to streamline the licensing process and negotiate fair tariffs.
“DJAN is authorised to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by DJs nationwide,” Asein added.
The NCC reiterated that it would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute defaulters to protect the rights of copyright owners and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s creative industry.