Nigerian Court Awards N210m Against Airtel for Copyright Infringement

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled in favor of Veno Mariogha Mbanefo, awarding N210 million in damages against Airtel Network Limited for copyright infringement. Justice Ibrahim Kala delivered the judgment in suit number FHC/L/CS/1822/2022 on Monday.

The lawsuit was based on Airtel's unauthorized use of the plaintiff's music work titled "Nigeria Go Survive." Airtel was found to have engaged in restricted acts using the plaintiff's music for advertising, promotion, and telemarketing to its millions of subscribers without authorization. The court awarded N200 million as general damages and N10 million as costs of the action, totaling N210 million.

Additionally, a mandatory perpetual injunction was granted against Airtel, prohibiting the telecom company from further unauthorized use of the plaintiff's music works. The plaintiff was represented by a legal team led by Clement Onwvenwunor, who sought the court's declaration that Airtel's use of the songs without credit or consent constituted a breach of statutory copyright rights.