iROKOTV Sues Afrinolly For Copyright Infringement

Nigerian entrepreneurs are finally getting serious about copyrighted items and permissions.  Jason Njoku, Founder, iROKOTV has sued Afrinolly – an app that streams nigerian content to mobile devices. Jason says Afrinolly is streaming content that has been exclusively purchased and licensed to iROKO Partners without permission from the content owners or iROKO Partners.

Afrinolly has even taken a step further and misrepresented itself with OEMs and telecommunication networks. iROKO Partners is therefore saying they’ll be seeking a N100 Million compensation.

You’ll recall that iROKOTV  is the premier streaming platform for Nollywood movies on the internet and has blown up in the last year. Getting over 500,000 signups on its website and its founder Jason Njoku made it to a Forbes list of Young African Millionaires to watch.

Jason Njoku says

“In an industry that is rife with misrepresentation, piracy and copyright infringement, we are left with no option but to begin legal action against Afrinolly, who have been illegally building their business on our content.

“We spend millions of dollars legally buying and organizing Nigerian content and hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in combating piracy and ensuring movie producers are remunerated properly for their content. It is simply unacceptable for Afrinolly to steal their work and profit from it. It has caused great harm to our Nigerian-based content providers and has placed great strain on the delicate balance and ecosystem that exists. Afrinolly, since its inception, has never bothered to even discuss with us or other content owners and has definitely not remunerated anyone to date.

“We have been approached by a number of Nollywood producers, who have expressed dismay that their movies are being exploited. As part of our commitment to the lifeblood of the industry, the producers, we see no other means than to seriously consider our options, look at how we can manage the damage done to our reputation and bring this extraordinary mass copyright infringement to a swift conclusion.”

Like in every copyright lawsuit there are questions to be asked regarding contracts. If iROKOtv is the sole content owner and distributor of certain nollywood movies, then Afrinolly is in trouble.

Source: Africamusiclaw via Modern Ghana

Binjo

Binjo is passionate about(some say he's obsessed with) technology and the web. . In his spare time, Binjo runs UP NEPA! Where he blogs on a wide range of issues. Circle Him on Google+

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