The long-running dispute between the Record Label Proprietors Initiative, ReLPI, and the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN, over the disbursement of copyright levies may soon be resolved, as both parties have agreed to settle out of court.
The conflict began after the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, disbursed the first tranche of the copyright levy, about ₦1.2 billion, to MCSN in early February 2026. ReLPI challenged the distribution and obtained a court order freezing MCSN’s assets.
In suit no. FHC/L/CS/207/2026 filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, ReLPI sought a Mareva Injunction to prevent MCSN from dissipating or transferring assets abroad during the proceedings. The order also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria and 20 banks and financial institutions from processing any payment instructions from MCSN related to copyright levy funds for sound recordings.
Speaking to NollyNow, PMAN President Pretty Okafor said the parties have now agreed to resolve their differences outside court, paving the way for the levy to be disbursed to verified members.
“The judge gave the parties a timeframe to meet, reconcile, and reach an agreement, or return to court if peace is not achieved,” Okafor said.
He added that a media briefing will be held in the coming days to explain the delay to musicians who completed verification for the payment. “This is important because the funds are meant specifically for verified musicians,” he said.
