Public Performance Licensing: Highlighting the Decision of the Federal High Court in Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/GTE & Anor V Pyramid Regal Services Ltd

IntroductionOn January 17, 2025, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos (the “Court”) delivered judgment in Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria LTD/GTE & 1 Anor v Pyramid Regal Services LTD holding that music users subscribed to licensed broadcasting services are not required to obtain additional licences from collection societies for the use, broadcast, and performance of copyrighted music. Several reactions have followed the court's decision; some have welcomed it as a positive step in balancing the rights of music owners with the right to access music, while others have strongly criticised the judgment for overlooking the nuances in music licensing and potentially jeopardising the intellectual property rights of music owners, especially their rights to fair compensation. In this article, we will examine the decision, highlight key issues, and explore possible solutions.