ONLINE MUSIC AND MOVIES AND NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES: CHALLENGES CONFRONTING COLLECTING SOCIETIES IN NIGERIA

This paper looks at the recent developments in the area of information communication technology where there is significant advancement in the types of gadgets that are to available in the market coupled with the wide use of the internet. In addition to allowing users to have greater access to the internet, these gadgets allow users to share information amongst them. In recent times, musicians and movie producers have put their music and movies on the internet. This has made them available to be downloaded and, with new devices available, music and movies on the internet could be shared amongst users of these devices. The music industry in Nigeria is a multi-million naira industry and has also grown to the extent where music by Nigerian artists is-also available online and is susceptible to downloading and sharing. There is no recourse to the artists and producers of these songs and movies. This development poses a challenge to collecting societies in Nigeria. There is yet no legal framework for the control of downloading and sharing of music and movies on the internet in Nigeria as exist in the United States and Canada. Consequently, it is imperative for Collecting Societies to device means by which artists and movie producers could be compensated for downloaded and shared material. A legislative scheme requiring internet service providers to charge users who download music and videos online, and crediting proceeds to collecting societies is recommended by the authors.