Femi Adebayo, a popular Nollywood filmmaker and actor, recently announced his victory in a three-year legal battle against piracy. He successfully won a ₦25 million lawsuit against an unnamed media company that exploited his film.
The film industry has always captivated audiences worldwide with its captivating storytelling and cultural richness. However, piracy continues to be a persistent threat that hampers its full potential.
In an Instagram announcement on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Femi Adebayo revealed that he took action against a well-known media company that distributes content on YouTube. This company had exploited the image of his film, “Survival of Jelili.” They superimposed images from his 2019 film onto another YouTube video, deceiving viewers into thinking they were watching the actual movie. This fraudulent act resulted in an increase in views for the video over time.
Femi Adebayo expressed his gratitude to his legal team, Bola Adebowale & Co Legal Practitioners, who played a crucial role in his victory. They presented undeniable evidence, put forth a strong argument, and took the case to trial. Their promptness, efficiency, and attention to detail greatly influenced the outcome of the case.
The hard work and dedication paid off, as Femi Adebayo proudly announced, “We won and were awarded a total of twenty-five million naira.”
Femi Adebayo emphasized that daring pirates are a significant reason why the Nigerian film industry struggles to reach its full business potential. Their actions discourage investors from committing their funds to filmmakers, hindering the industry’s growth.
This issue of piracy is not unique to Femi Adebayo alone. Fellow filmmaker Toyin Abraham shared her own experiences earlier this year, revealing that piracy of her films had caused her panic attacks and even landed her in the hospital in the past. In January 2024, five suspects were charged to court for illegally leaking her December 2023 film, “Malaika,” online. They faced charges of stealing intellectual property, conspiracy, and attempting to obstruct justice.
The fight against piracy remains an ongoing battle for Nigerian filmmakers, but victories like Femi Adebayo serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting intellectual property and ensuring a fair and thriving film industry.
This is a great way to end piracy, I love to see this