MultiChoice Group has welcomed a directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), reaffirming the rules governing intellectual property rights and the retransmission of audiovisual content in Nigeria, RaveNewsOnline reports.
The group stated that the directive reinforced a fundamental principle of broadcasting that access to another operator’s signal does not confer the right to retransmit or commercially redistribute its content.
It makes clear that operators must obtain the necessary rights and authorisations before retransmitting protected content, and that unauthorised retransmission constitutes a violation of intellectual property rights.
Kemi Omotosho, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the NBC’s clarification was an important step towards protecting content creators and rights-holders, while establishing a more orderly and sustainable broadcasting market.
“The Group welcomes the NBC’s efforts to provide greater clarity on content rights and retransmission rules in Nigeria.
“This clarification is an important step towards strengthening the protection of creators and rights-holders and fostering a well-structured and sustainable audiovisual market.
“A clear and predictable regulatory framework benefits the entire creative ecosystem, supporting investment in local content and creating long-term value for creators, rights-holders, operators and audiences alike,” Omotosho said.
MultiChoice Group in a statement reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the protection of intellectual property rights and the sustainable development of Africa’s creative industries.
The Group said it would continue to work with regulators and industry partners to promote legitimate content distribution and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the audiovisual sector.
