Xclusive! Copyright Fraud: Etisalat in N200M Lawsuit …Paul Play Dairo, Optimal Media Group and Nigeria Idol's Connection

A drastic measure has been taken upon Optima Media Group Ltd, organizer of “Nigeria Idol” and the sponsor, Emerging Market Telecommunications services (EMTS) Ltd, popularly known as Etisalat over the use of Paul I.K Dairo’s song Mosorire without his approval.

Paul I.K Dairo is a famous Nigerian singer, awards winner, songwriter and music producer of international repute and a member of Broadcast Music Incorporation (BMI). His awards ranged from; MNET Awards – Best Male Artist in 2000 to Amen Awards – Best R&B Song of the year in 2007 to mention a few. Meanwhile, Optima Media Group Ltd is geared towards promoting the brand image and business fortune of Etisalat.

       Mosorire is one of Dairo’s songs which is registered with Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) when he was still a member. Dairo, however, terminated his membership appointment with MCSN in 2008 and joined Broadcast Music Incorporation (BMI).

Trouble struck Etisalat and his organizer of his television reality show tagged “Nigeria Idol” 2012 edition after the adaptation and deployment of I.K’s his work titled “Mosorire” without his consent which was broadcast to several millions of television viewers throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rest of Africa and part of Europe for the 2012 and 2013 edition.

       The song, Mosorire was reproduced and performed on the Optima Media Group Ltd’s stage sponsored by Etisalat without proper authorization to reproduce or perform from Dairo and it was also published on Youtube without his consent as well.

       Investigation revealed that, never at any time gave authorization to any person or assigned ownership in the copyright work “Mosorire” to any organization or person to act on his behalf.

       Moserire was a hit tract in his album that was released in 1999 and was number 1 on major musical charts in Nigeria and in Africa for several weeks.

       It was clear that Etisalat and Optima Media Group Ltd are not prepared to obtained the necessary license and authority from Dairo so he commission his lawyer to write them, intimating them of their infringement of his copyright work and demand for the payment of compensation and license fee for the grant of appropriate authorization for the exploitation of his work.

       Moreso, it was revealed that upon Dairo lawyer’s letters, Etisalat and Optima Group refused to comply with his demand and even treat same without any courtesy of response and outright neglect.

       Source further revealed that the two parties knew he (Dairo) had reasonable ground to know that they are infringing his copyright in the aforementioned work.

       Source also reveal that Paul I.K Dairo is usually entitled to a fee of N100,000,000 (one hundred million naira) each year whenever his permission or consent is sought for the use of his musical work.

       Information reaching shybellmediaonline.blogspot.com has it that, this issue is now in court. Meanwhile, court is in favour of him. Court revealed that the act of adaptation, deployment, public performance and exploitation of his musical work titled “Mosorire by Etisala and Optima Media Group without his consent is illegal. Dairo is now claiming the sum of N200,000,000 as special and general damages for the flagrant and unlawful exploitation which both parties (Etisalat and Optima Group) has successful utilized for the enhancement of their telecommunication business throughout the territory of Nigeria through their television reality show tagged “Nigeria Idol”.

Evidence will be published much later.