MCSN Slams Abuja Hotels with court cases

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) has commenced prosecution of both civil and criminal cases against some hotel owners in Abuja who have declined to obtain copyright license for musical works and sound recordings of Nigerian and foreign artistes played in their facilities.

Speaking with the MCSN Abuja Manager, General Licensing, Moses Iorsheer, yesterday in Abuja, he reiterated that MCSN was set up to collectively manage rights in musical works and sound recordings of Nigerian and foreign artistes which has made them (MCSN) Owner, Assignee and Exclusive Licensee of copyright in musical works and sound recording in Nigeria.

Iorsheer said, “we have commenced filling cases against hotels, clubs, lounges, event centers, gardens, supermarkets and other outlets where music is performed in a public place without a license from MCSN. Some of hotels we have sued include NICON Luxury, 1st Forty Hotel, Bolton White Hotel group, Stamford Hotel, BON Hotel Imperial etc. The case with Reiz Hotel is set for judgement in February 2026”. He added that many other civil cases are also being filed presently. In addition, he stated that working with security agencies, MCSN has also activated the criminal investigation of many of these places and criminal charges against their owners and managers will be filed in no distant time. He noted that they are using all available options to enforce their rights as copyright law allows criminal and civil prosecution of copyright offenders to go on at the same time.

He added that “Recall that on the 10th day of July, 2025 in the case filed by Bolton white Hotel against MCSN in suit no. FHC/ABU/CS/1840/2024 delivered by Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite the Court delivered a ruling in favor of MCSN where Bolton white Hotel sought to obtain an interlocutory order restraining MCSN from demanding royalties in the sum of N64.4m from the Hotel and other reliefs.” In that judgment Justice Nwite stated that “I am therefore in agreement with the Learned Council to the Respondent, the present application is incompetent… this Court finds that this application is incompetent and its hereby struct out”.

According to the Manager Licensing Mr. Iorsheer, MCSN is not sleeping on her oars to bring to book any hotel, restaurant, Lounges and Bars, Gardens and other places who uses music works and sound recordings in their business without obtaining the appropriate license or authorization from MCSN.