The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian Disc Jockeys (DJs), cautioning them against playing copyrighted music without obtaining proper licenses.

 

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) made the announcement on Wednesday through an advisory signed by its Director-General, Dr. John Asein. The notice emphasized that DJs who play music publicly without authorization could face severe legal consequences, including up to five years in prison or a fine of ₦1 million.

 

According to the NCC, under Sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act 2022, only the copyright owner—or their licensed representative—is legally allowed to perform, reproduce, or publicly communicate their musical works.

 

“Public performance of music by DJs at event centres, hotels, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities without proper licensing constitutes both a public performance and a communication to the public,” Asein stated. “This amounts to copyright infringement under the Act.”

 

He further explained that such violations could lead to civil or criminal liability under Section 44(7) of the Act, with penalties including a ₦1 million fine, a five-year prison sentence, or both.

 

The Commission urged DJs to ensure they obtain the appropriate licenses through approved Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to avoid legal repercussions.