As Nigeria's leading TV production company, Ultima Limited (Ultima) has produced the international format Project Fame (PF)for the last 5 years.

In the first two years, Ultima paid the Performing and Mechanical Rights Society Ltd/Gte (PMRS) - which was the government approved collecting agency at the time, for all musical works that Ultima used; and from the third year when PMRS became Copyrights Society of Nigeria (COSON), Ultima paid COSON for all the songs used in those years.

For the past 5 seasons of PF therefore, Ultima has annually made the statutory payments due and required for the use of musical works for both local and international artistes used on the Project Fame show. As is standard practice all over the world, rather than maintain individual agreements with each one of the hundreds of artistes whose songs we use, we have a single agreement with their collection body (COSON) who in turn is responsible for dealing with each individual artiste! COSON is responsible for collecting such payments on behalf of Nigerian artistes.

Ultima duly paid COSON for use of such music and as such if Paul Play has any issues with payment of royalties for the use of his musical works it should be worked out with COSON and not Ultima nor MTN.

We wish to state categorically that Ultima Limited is, always has been and remains a law abiding corporate citizen, respecting the rights of all stakeholders in her conduct of business.


Thanks.

Management,

Ultima Limited.

I just read this. So why is Ultima not fighting it with proper documentation


Paul play Dairo has gone to court for redress over the unlawful use of hit song “angel of my life” on project fame. Paul was faraway in the US last year when the song was used without proper licensing. Reliable source indicated that his intellectual property manager, Mr. Ayo Rotimi was not even aware of the situation. We gathered that calls were made to the two organisations and their responses were cold and uncooperative.

Paul Plays management contacted festus Keyamo chambers to serve both organisations the suit. It is very sad to notice that even international companies in the calibre of MTN who have benefited enormously in the Nigerian economy is found wanting in unlawful exploitation of intellectual property. This is inappropriate and should be addressed.

http://www.jaguda.com/2013/02/20/paul-play-dairo-sues-mtn-and-ultima-ltd-500-million-naira-for-infringement-on-his-intellectual-property/