Abdulrazak Abdulganiyu
Senior Associate
Industry
Entertainment
Advice for artists, producers, labels, studios and platforms on rights, contracts, financing and disputes.
Overview
Nigeria’s music, film and creative industries reach audiences worldwide, which makes clear rights and contracts essential. We advise creators and the businesses that work with them.
We draft and negotiate recording, publishing, management, distribution, production and endorsement agreements, and advise on copyright ownership, licensing and royalties under the Copyright Act 2022. We also advise on film classification, broadcasting requirements and talent and event agreements.
We act in disputes over unpaid royalties, breach of contract and infringement, including takedowns and claims against unauthorised use online.
What we do
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Business Establishment
Strategic guidance on entity formation and regulatory compliance to establish a solid operational foundation for success in the entertainment sector.
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Mergers and Acquisitions
Expert legal counsel and support for mergers and acquisitions, facilitating growth and strategic consolidation within the entertainment industry.
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Production Agreements
Drafting and negotiation of production agreements to ensure seamless execution of entertainment projects while adhering to industry standards.
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IP Protection
We also offer specialized services in intellectual property (IP) protection, ensuring that your creative works and innovations are safeguarded against infringement. Our team can assist with trademark registration, copyright protection, and patent applications, providing comprehensive legal support to preserve the integrity and value of your intellectual assets in the competitive entertainment market.
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Distribution Agreements
Guidance on distribution strategies and agreements to maximize the reach and impact of entertainment content across various platforms.
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Licensing Agreements
Tailored legal support for licensing arrangements to monetize intellectual property rights effectively and safeguard creators' interests.
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Artiste Development and Management
Structuring artiste development and management agreements to foster the growth and success of talent in the entertainment sector.
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Artworks Sales and Transactions
Legal counsel on artworks sales, lending, and transactions to protect the rights of artists and collectors while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
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Asset Sales and Acquisitions
Support for asset transactions to facilitate smooth acquisitions and divestitures within the entertainment industry.
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Debt Financing
Strategic guidance on debt financing options and structuring to fund entertainment projects and ventures.
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Arbitration and Litigation
Aggressive representation in arbitration and litigation proceedings to resolve disputes swiftly and favorably.
Our team
FAQs
Usually the composition and the sound recording are separate works with separate owners: the songwriter or publisher owns the composition, and the producer of the recording, often the label, owns the recording, unless the contracts say otherwise.
Yes. Films and videos for public exhibition or distribution must be classified by the National Film and Video Censors Board.
Through publishing and distribution agreements and through collective management organisations approved by the Nigerian Copyright Commission.