“BON Threat To Nigerian Artistes: Empty Yet Unfortunate” by Efe Omorogbe –@AAPreporting

It has been obvious for a while now that a good number of operators of broadcast stations (radio and television) in Nigeria would do
anything to avoid paying royalties for the commercial exploitation of music.
A few associates have tried to argue that this is not the case, citing issues like the figures being demanded and the licensing format as the obstacles militating against mass compliance.
I have maintained, even at a recent IBAN meeting held at Oriental Hotel that these positions were mere excuses as COSON has demonstrated a clear willingness to negotiate with broadcast outfits and engender a relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation
The main obstacle lies in the fact that a section of the media executives find the idea of paying to use music absolutely revolting. These execs and some of their subordinates believe that the music industry owes them a debt of eternal gratitude for their magnanimous decision to play music made by Nigerians to Nigerians. They consider the very idea of COSON unsavory and the polite request of compliance to payment for a license, a legal pre-requisite for operation and international standard practice, an affront. Therein lies the problem.
Finally, the BON threat presents proof and it is indeed unfortunate. In line with the regrettable tendency to create a “Nigerian standard” that is clearly self-serving and retrogressive, the broadcast industry in 2013 has played a hand that every Nigerian IP owner should condemn and fight.
Before I go further, let me state clearly that the threat to pull out Nigerian music from the electronic media is an empty albeit unpatriotic one. BON is clearly aware that it is impracticable and I would love to see them execute it. Simply put, I dare BON to carry out the threat!
culled from JAGUDA