Obtain Licence from MCSN or Face Prosecution, NCC Warns Deejays

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to all disc jockeys (DJs) across the country: obtain the proper license from the approved music rights body or risk jail time.

In a recent copyright advisory, the NCC reminded DJs that the public performance or communication of music without proper authorization constitutes a criminal offence under the Copyright Act 2022, punishable by a fine of not less than ?1 million or imprisonment for a term not less than five years—or both.

Citing Sections 9 and 12 of the Act, the Commission emphasized that copyright holders in musical works and sound recordings enjoy exclusive rights over reproduction, performance, and public communication. DJs who engage in these activities without authorization are infringing upon those rights.

“The public performance of music by a Deejay—whether at hotels, event centres, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities—constitutes both a public performance and a communication to the public under the law,” the advisory stated.

The Commission further clarified that the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) remains the only approved Collective Management Organization (CMO) for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria. All DJs are therefore required to obtain licences and pay royalties through MCSN before performing music in public.

To streamline compliance, the Commission acknowledged the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) and MCSN. Under this agreement, DJAN is empowered to coordinate royalty payments from DJs nationwide, based on a negotiated tariff structure.

“The Commission will not hesitate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found to be in contravention of the law,” the advisory warned, stressing that enforcement actions would be supported by relevant authorities and stakeholders.

This development marks a renewed push by the NCC to ensure that performers and content users respect intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s creative industry.