MultiChoice Nigeria cautions against commercial piracy

MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading provider of premium pay entertainment, has urged individuals or entities that use DStv services for public use without a commercial license to get a commercial license to enable them broadcast DStv content without litigation.

According to Caroline Oghuma, PR manager, DStv, MultiChoice gave commercial pirates the opportunity to convert to legal commercial broadcast in 2013.

“We want these subscribers to stay on the right side of the law, and those who are yet to convert are infringing on the copy right laws of Nigeria and will face appropriate penalties” she declared.

Oghuma, who explained that MultiChoice is working in association with the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) to stem the rising trend in commercial piracy, stated that early this year, officials of the NCC Lagos Zonal Office issued a 14 day deadline for hotels to obtain the appropriate commercial licenses for the broadcast of DStv channels in their hotels. “We are happy that some hotel owners have complied by legalizing their subscriptions. However, we urge those who have not complied to do so” she reiterated.

The Commission last year launched an Amnesty Campaign to create awareness on broadcast piracy. Oghuma highlighted that the campaign will move to the 2nd phase which will involve the copyright audit of outlets using DStv in public and sanctioning of infringing users.

MultiChoice Nigeria in conjunction with the NCC is currently battling four types of piracy. These include; Cable Piracy, Re-broadcasting Piracy, Commercial Piracy and Circumvention Piracy.

Commercial users that wish to obtain a commercial license in order to avoid sanctions are advised to visit the nearest DStv office or DStv agent’s outlet.