Grace Omachoko
Renowned filmmaker Femi Adebayo has called on industry peers to stand united against the rampant piracy plaguing the Nigerian film sector.
Speaking out against the “daredevil pirates” profiting unlawfully from filmmakers’ hard work, Adebayo emphasized the need for persistent efforts and legal action to curb these illegal activities.
Sharing his own experience, Adebayo recounted a recent legal battle with a prominent media company that misappropriated his movie “Survival of Jelili” for their own gain.
“Several times, I have been a victim of movie pirates and I never spare them. I recently concluded a legal battle with a notable media company that owns a big radio station and also engages in youtube content distribution. During the cinema run of “Survival of Jelili” in 2019, my movie was gathering good numbers at that time. They decided to use my movie poster and title to promote a movie on their platform, thereby deceiving fans and diverting revenue accrued to me.”
“The guts with which they even perpetrate this evil is so alarming. This is a major reason why investors find it hard to commit their funds to filmmakers. However, through persistence and the use of the legal framework covering intellectual property, we can bring their activities to a gradual halt.” He said.
Despite facing adversity, Adebayo remained resolute in his trust in the legal system. With the support of his legal team, Bola Adebowale & Co Legal Practitioners, he successfully fought the case for three years and emerged victorious, securing a significant victory and a total award of Twenty Five Million Naira.
Reflecting on the win, Adebayo emphasized that it is not just a personal triumph but a collective victory for all filmmakers.
He urged the industry to remain vigilant and proactive in combating IP theft and piracy, emphasizing that every successful legal action brings the industry one step closer to protecting its economic interests and securing the true value of its creative works.