A battle line may have been drawn between the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and the two  broadcasting bodies, Broadcasters Organisation of Nigeria(BON) and  the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) as the former has vowed to institute a legal action against the bodies  following their recently decision to stop airing the music of the nation’s pop stars on their stations.
IBAN, in alignment with BON on November  27, suspended the airing of the music of COSON registered  members on their stations with immediate effect.

 
But reacting to the ban during the week, COSON boss, Chief Tony Okoroji  advised members  of the society to remain calm, stressing that their lawyers are studying the legal implications of the development.

 
According to him, “We are in charge of the situation and we will deal with it. We are in contact with everybody that is important and we know that Nigeria is not a banana republic. This is the fight for the liberation of the creative people in Nigeria.”

 
Okoroji said that, while they have made concerted efforts to dialogue with BON and IBAN, which yielded no results, COSON would seek redress in court. “We are taking them to court. I believe that the court of law remains a place where issues are resolved,” COSON boss stressed.

 
Meanwhile, in a  statement by IBAN Chairman, Osa Sony Adun, and Secretary, Guy Murray-Bruce, the groups said, they were constrained to take this step principally as a result of CONSON’s attitude of antagonism and harassment under the leadership of Tony Okoroji. “No  person or organisation, particularly a collection society such as COSON has a monopoly of authority over any other, especially at this time when all hands should be on deck in building a sustainable copyright system. IBAN and BON have the utmost respect for Nigerian music and the development of the entertainment industry as a whole.

 
Some of Nigeria’s top artistes such as  2Face Idibia, D’banj, Iyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, Wiz Kid, Olu Maintain, 9ice ,  Sunny Nneji, Weird MC, Asha, Timaya, Mode 9, M I, Olu Maintain, Flavour and Chidinma were among those affected by the ban.

 
While NBC is yet to react to the development, a statement by Mayree Uket, COSON’s Senior Executive, New Media said, Mba has announced that the NBC would intervene in the matter.