ReLPI Secures Court Injunction Against MCSN in Copyright Levy Dispute
The ongoing legal battle between the Record Label Proprietors Initiative (ReLPI) and the Musical Collection Society of Nigeria (MCSN) over the distribution of multi-billion naira copyright levies has escalated dramatically. ReLPI has successfully obtained a Mareva Injunction from the Federal High Court in Lagos, effectively freezing MCSN's assets pending further legal proceedings.
Court Freezes MCSN Assets Amid Royalty Dispute
In suit number FHC/L/CS/207/2026, ReLPI approached the Federal High Court seeking to prevent MCSN from accessing or dissipating funds from the copyright levy. The Nigerian Copyright Commission had recently disbursed the first tranche of N1.2 billion to MCSN, a move that ReLPI has challenged through legal action.
Presiding Judge Honourable Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa granted the Mareva Injunction, which specifically restrains the Central Bank of Nigeria and twenty listed financial institutions from releasing or honoring any payment instructions from MCSN regarding the copyright levy funds. The court order explicitly states that these institutions must preserve and refrain from transferring any funds attributable to sound recordings payable to MCSN until the case is heard.
The Core of the Copyright Controversy
This legal action represents the latest development in an ongoing struggle between the two organizations over who legitimately represents the interests of record labels in Nigeria's music industry. While MCSN maintains its position as the Nigerian Copyright Commission-backed collection society, ReLPI argues that Section 89(3) of copyright legislation entitles them to receive payments on behalf of their members.
Earlier in February 2026, MCSN announced receiving the N1.2 billion payment from the NCC, describing it as the first installment of copyright levy funds. In their press release, MCSN leadership, headed by Mr. Mayo Ayileran, criticized ReLPI as an organization that doesn't adequately represent Nigerian artists or the broader music ecosystem.
ReLPI's Position and Industry Implications
ReLPI Chairman Tega Ogenejobo responded to MCSN's claims, emphasizing that their legal action isn't directed against MCSN personally but rather represents an effort to reform Nigeria's royalty collection system. The organization maintains that their primary objective is protecting the interests of their member record labels and ensuring proper distribution of royalties.
The fundamental disagreement centers on whether MCSN, originally established to collect publishing royalties, has legitimate authority to handle sound recording royalties that typically belong to record labels through their designated collection agencies. This case raises significant questions about representation and legitimacy within Nigeria's music royalty collection framework.
The court has adjourned the case to March 12, 2026, for further hearing. This legal development marks a critical juncture in determining how copyright levies will be distributed in Nigeria's music industry, potentially affecting how billions of naira in royalties are allocated among rights holders.
