Mr Segun Awosanya, the FCT COSON project consultant, who spoke to newsmen, urged commercial music users to comply with the copyright law and obtain licence for the use of music in public places.
He said that there has been zero compliance from commercial music users and it was not encouraging.
He noted that the basic challenge was getting people to buy into the idea and comply with the society’s objective.
``We try to manage the relationship between COSON and the commercial music users in the FCT, it has been challenging but we hope that this month we will start licensing.''
According to Awosanya, the lack of compliance is due to the fact that people claim not to understand why they should pay to use music or the need to obtain licence.
He said that getting people to comply with the law which compels them to obtain licence before playing music in public places was difficult as people were Intransigent
``People fear change and so they have refused to buy into the idea.''
He said the society would continue to advise and encourage people to obtain licence as demanded by the law, adding that as a last resort, legal action would be taken against those who disobeyed.
Awosanya said that the society had filed a suit before the Federal High court, Abuja, against Transcorp Hilton which should serve as a warning and eye opener to other music users.
It will be recalled that the society had filed a suit against Transcorp Hilton, Abuja demanding the payment of more than N3 billion for unauthorised copying and communication to the public of musical works belonging to its members.
Awosanya therefore called on all commercial music users to obtain a license as it would begin issuing licences this month in order to prevent any legal action being taken against them.
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