What a breath of fresh air for Femi Adebayo and Nigerian filmmakers! After lasting three years, Nollywood celebrates a hard-won victory as actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo secures justice against piracy.
Here’s the backstory:
In March 2021, Femi Adebayo initiated legal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Ibadan against ‘Murphy Ben International via their YouTube channel, ‘Aforevo TV,’ for alleged copyright infringement of his film “Survival of Jelili.” The channel utilized the movie poster from Adebayo’s 2019 theatrical release to promote another film titled “Kodi Ologbon Aye.” This deceptive tactic misled viewers into believing they were accessing Adebayo’s original work, diverting revenue meant for him while boosting their own YouTube channel’s views and earnings.
Despite “Survival of Jelili” grossing a remarkable ₦29 million at the box office, after a protracted legal battle, the Federal High Court issued its verdict in May 2024, awarding Adebayo a sum of twenty-five million naira in damages. This ruling signifies another victorious moment for Adebayo and the entire Nollywood community. Recall Toyin Abraham’s win, in December 2024 battling this same issue of piracy.
This case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat piracy and protect the intellectual property rights of filmmakers. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding creative works.
As Nollywood celebrates this victory, it sends a clear message: piracy will not go unpunished, and justice will prevail for those who fight to protect their art and livelihood.
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