The Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative Ltd/Gte (ReLPI) recently hosted a landmark town hall in Lagos bringing together major record companies such as Mavin, Chocolate City, Universal, Warner, Sony, Premier, DMCE, Hypertek and others with key stakeholders from the broadcasting sector.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC), Barrister Charles Ebuebu and the Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, alongside other industry leaders.
The primary objective of the forum was to explore potential collaborations between ReLPI and broadcasters, ensuring fair remuneration for the use of ReLPI members’ works while enhancing operational efficiency.
ReLPI, which serves as the official voice of the Nigerian recording industry and is affiliated with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), announced the introduction of a Direct Licensing Scheme in collaboration with the Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN).
In his welcome address, the Chairman of ReLPI and COO of Mavin Global, Tega Oghenejobo, emphasised the importance of the relationship between the recorded music industry and broadcasters, noting that ReLPI represents record companies and sound recording owners and protects their interests. “Our goal is to ensure that members are remunerated appropriately, fairly, and transparently whenever their works are used,” he said.
He called on broadcasters to support the new Direct Licensing framework to promote fairness and efficiency across the value chain.
The National Coordinator of ReLPI, Dr. Chinedu Chukwuji, provided an in-depth analysis of the current state of the recording industry.
He highlighted the significant investments record companies make in producing, marketing, and commercialising music.
He explained that record labels are the largest investors in the music ecosystem, and artists are increasingly benefiting from these investments.
He warned that failing to adequately protect these investments could result in losses of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), job losses, and the potential collapse of the local music industry.
He stressed that the Direct Licensing Scheme would ensure that rights holders whose recorded music is exploited by broadcasters or other users are adequately remunerated.
Source:The Nation
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