New NBC Code: NBC cannot assume the powers of the National Assembly – Okoroji Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/new-nbc-code-nbc-cannot-assume-the-powers-of-the-national-assembly-okoroji/

By Ayo Onikoyi Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Mr. Tony Okoroji, has described as unenforceable some of the provisions in the broadcast code recently released by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Okoroji made his view known on his Twitter handle, @Tonyokoroji. In the tweet, the copyright activist said some of the provisions of the new code are good, but are unworkable while others are unconstitutional. He stated that the NBC is attempting to overreach itself by assuming powers of the National Assembly and called for a revisit of those amendments. “I understand the good intents of the new NBC Broadcast Code, but some of the provisions are unworkable, some even unconstitutional. The commission cannot overreach its powers and assume the powers of the National Assembly. The code needs to be revisited,” he twitted. Many players in the broadcast industry have expressed loud disapproval of the code, which is viewed an assault on their copyright. Jason Njoku, Chief Executive Officer, IrokoTV, stated that amendments in the code that seek to limit exclusivity abridge the rights of copyright owners and have the potential to discourage investment in the sector. The same sentiment was expressed by Naz Onuzo, a movie producer, who said the NBC is wrong to seek to compel rights owners to sub-license their content. READ ALSO: NBC Code: Netflix, Amazon, iROKOtv, Africa Magic may end investment in Nigeria “A lot of content Nigerian producers are rightly concerned by the removal of the exclusivity clause because exclusivity deals are the most valuable and this bit reduces the value of the most desirable Nigerian content,” he said. Lawyers have argued that an intellectual property is exclusive to the owner and can do as he wishes with it. According to a Nobert Chima, a lawyer, Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution gives every Nigerian the right to own moveable properties or any interest in an immovable property and the rights over such properties cannot be compulsorily taken. He argued that though intellectual property rights are intangible but are moveable property rights, adding that the provisions on exclusivity are inconsistent with Section 1 (3) of the constitution states. The section states: “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.” He also argued that Section 8 of the Copyright Act, Chapter C28 states that copyright in a broadcast shall be under the exclusive control of the owner. “It is, therefore, safe to deduce that a broadcaster has the exclusive right to control his work and not even the government can, in anyway, control such.” VANGUARD Kindly Share This Story:FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppPinterestShare Related BON, CONSON face-off: We ‘ll not sacrifice the interest of the music industry —Okoroji The Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Tony Okoroji has said that the representatives of COSON in the on-going NBC/NCC/COSON/BON/IBAN joint committee will not sacrifice the interest of the music industry. April 5, 2014 COSON kicks against N5.9bn awarded to MCSN for copyright Infringement February 2, 2018 Why NBC suspended AIT, Ray Power licenses June 6, 2019 All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from VANGUARD NEWS. Download Vanguard News App.   Technical Feedback: whatsapp 08023469027   READ our Privacy-policy and cookie policy. READ ALSO: DJ Cuppy reveals how long she’s been dating Asa Asika Vanguard PROMOTED "Nature's Oxycontin", Pain Relief (Now Legal in Your City) Motion free Arthritis or Joint Pain? Doctor Says Do This First Thing Each… Motion free How Buhari tried to reconcile Oshiomhole, Obaseki — Femi Adesina BREAKING: Obaseki resigns from APC Executive Jet apologises for referring to Naira Marley, team as bunch of useless people A genius from Nigeria found a way to get rid of parasites forever! Read! Detox A genius from Nigeria found a way to get rid of parasites forever! Read! Detox

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/new-nbc-code-nbc-cannot-assume-the-powers-of-the-national-assembly-okoroji/